DNA and RNA are fundamental to modern molecular biology. However, commonly used techniques to extract them are often tedious, expensive and impractical, especially when performed on a larger number of samples – an obstacle we needed to solve.
While looking for a solution, we were inspired by the scalability of the existing magnetic bead-based clean-up protocols[1,2,3] and by the possibility to synthesize these beads ourselves[4,5]. These two discoveries together enabled us to develop straight-forward, low-cost, scalable and foremost reliable protocols for the most common lab techniques. We combined them into a platform called Bio-On-Magnetic- Beads (BOMB). As BOMB boosted our research output and quality, we want to share this technology with everyone.
We believe that the BOMB platform can become a powerful way to democratise high- throughput nucleic acid handling, and ultimately, how science is performed.
Simple, yet powerful and reliable
With either self-made or bought magnetic beads, a magnetic rack and a set of simple chemicals and enzymes you can isolate high-quality nucleic acids from a wide-range of sources including bacteria, yeast, plants, environmental samples, cultured cells or animal tissues. Once nucleic acid is isolated or amplified, you can then manipulate it with enzymes, chemically modify it, make libraries for next-generation sequencing, as well as clean and size select ahead of analysis. All using the same bead based systems and a small set of simple buffers. Our open-source protocols are optimized and tested, providing all the necessary information to kick-start your experiments.
You can begin by making your own functionalised BOMB magnetic beads or buy commercial ones. You’ve got no magnetic racks in the lab? No problem, just make one yourself by following the simple instructions! Then you’re ready to extract any type of nucleic acids from your favourite samples.
Scalable and fast
BOMB protocols allow you the freedom to scale your experiments because centrifugation is not required. Moreover, BOMB beads and protocols are ideally suited for automated nucleic acid handling using robots, thus letting you process many more samples with even less effort.
Economic
High-throughput nucleic acid extraction does not have to be expensive. BOMB protocols are at least one order of magnitude cheaper than commercial solutions, while still delivering high-quality nucleic acids.
Take it anywhere
No need for a centrifuge! All you need is BOMB beads, magnets and buffers and you can extract nucleic acids anywhere, be it in the jungle, at the beach, or even in the lab.
Community support
Still having troubles or don’t know where to start? We provide an open community forum where you can troubleshoot and find solution to your problems, get suggestions and seek expertise and develop new ideas into full-blown protocols. We are hoping for your input to develop the BOMB platform further, to include even more sample types or extract other nucleic acids or proteins.