DNA Degradation: The Effects of Hemascein on Recovered DNA in Various Storage Conditions

The present study investigated the effects Hemascein had on recovered DNA in various storage conditions and time, and determined whether recovered DNA was degraded. 66 samples that were either in a liquid state or dry state were placed tubes of reagents and were extracted by time intervals. 54 samples were made on microscope slides and extracted by designated days. Each sample sets were left in storage conditions of either room temperature or freezer temperature of -20°C. Quantification of these samples were done by the Thermo Fisher Quantifiler Trio Kit with Real-Time PCR. ANOVA statistical analysis was done to reveal any significance in the data. Samples that were either in a liquid or dry state and extracted hourly, appeared to not have significant degradation. The same went for samples extracted by days. However, what showed significance in DNA degradation was the storage conditions. Samples left either in room temperature or freezer -20°C influenced certain samples. Room temperature samples appeared to degrade more in various sample sets than those of freezer -20°C samples. Due to outliers in many sample sets, no direct conclusion can be made. Although Hemascein could be the cause of this degradation, it is not certain. Further studies need to be done to investigate other conditions and limitations between DNA degradation and Hemascein.