Cell-Free DNA: An Overview of Sample Types and Isolation Procedures

Methods Mol Biol. 2019:1909:13-27. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8973-7_2.

Abstract

The study of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is often challenging due to genomic DNA contamination, low concentration, and high fragmentation. Therefore, it is important to optimize pre-analytical and analytical procedures in order to maximize the performance of cfDNA-based analyses.In this chapter, we report the most common methods for the correct collection, centrifugation, storage, and DNA isolation from cell-free biological sources such as plasma, urines, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural effusion fluid.

Keywords: Cell-free DNA; Centrifugation; Cerebrospinal fluid; Collection; Nucleic acid extraction; Plasma; Pleural effusion fluid; Serum; Storage; Urines.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Preservation / methods
  • Blood Specimen Collection / methods
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / blood
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / isolation & purification*
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / urine
  • Centrifugation / methods
  • DNA Contamination
  • Humans
  • Specimen Handling / methods*

Substances

  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids