Electrophoretic High Molecular Weight DNA Purification for Optical Mapping

Optical mapping generates an ordered restriction map from single, long DNA molecules. By overlapping restriction maps from multiple molecules, a physical map of entire chromosomes is constructed, greatly facilitating genome assembly in next generation sequencing projects, comparative genomics and strain typing. However, optical mapping relies on a method of preparing high quality DNA >250 kb in length, which can be challenging from some organisms and sample types. Here we explore the potential of the Boreal Genomics’ Aurora instrument to provide pure, high molecular weight (HMW) DNA 250-1,100 kb in length, suitable for optical mapping. The Aurora performs electrophoretic DNA purification within an agarose gel in reusable cartridges, protecting long DNA molecules from shearing forces associated with liquid handling steps common to other purification methods. DNA can be purified directly from intact cells embedded and lysed within an agarose gel, preserving the highest molecular weight DNA possible while achieving exceptional levels of purity. The Aurora delivers DNA in a buffer solution, where DNA can be condensed and protected from shearing during recovery with a pipette. DNA is then returned to its regular coiled state by simple dilution prior to optical mapping. Here we present images showing HMW DNA purification taking place in the Aurora and resulting single DNA molecules imaged on OpGen’s Argus® Optical Mapping System. Future work will focus on further optimizing Aurora HMW DNA purification to bias DNA recovery in favor of only the longest molecules in a sample, maximizing the benefits of optical mapping.