Our new sbeadex Lightning technology offers all the advantages of the original sbeadex – but revolutionises the rather time-consuming, multi-step workflow of current nucleic acid purification methods. sbeadex Lightning uses superparamagnetic particles and a novel one-step binding mechanism to bind and purify nucleic acids. Combined with a single water washing step, this unique process removes impurities and potential inhibitors of enzymatic reactions very effectively, preparing nucleic acids for use in downstream applications including PCR and RT-PCR, sequencing, NGS and restriction analysis.

The very simple purification workflow involves only 3 steps and typically requires just 5 minutes from lysate to DNA while delivering high yields of pure DNA.

It therefore dramatically increases potential sample throughput per day – either through manual or automated nucleic acid purification – saving time and laboratory costs. Fewer protocol steps also mean fewer buffers, fewer plastic consumables and reduced liquid waste which helps to protect the environment (table 1).

We recommend starting with our comprehensive starter kit to evaluate performance and optimise workflow before progressing to one of our core kits. The sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit is designed as an essential first step, offering the opportunity to test and determine the optimal core kit and lysis conditions. We offer two versions of the sbeadex Lightning core kits (Kit A or Kit B), each optimised under different conditions and for specific sample types. These kits include a sbeadex Lightning binding buffer, sbeadex particle suspension, and elution buffer (AMP).

The reagents of the sbeadex Lightning chemistry are not only reduced in volume but are also less hazardous than common reagents used in classical magnetic bead, spin column or solution-based workflows. Thus, our new sbeadex Lightning is not only faster, simpler and more convenient – but also more environmentally friendly. Compared to the classical magnetic bead or spin-column based technologies, sbeadex Lightning shows comparable results with regard to DNA purity, quality and yields – but is significantly faster, simpler and cost-saving (see tables 1-4).

Figure 1. How to get started with sbeadex Lightning technology.
1. Order a sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit and test this with your samples. Once you have optimised your protocol, (2.) select/order the components to generate your tailor-made sbeadex Lightning solution (3.). * Please find standard protocols and sample-specific lysis buffer recommendations online or contact techsupport@lgcgroup.com for assistance. 

The sbeadex Lightning chemistry comes as a modular system to enable you to compile an optimal kit tailored to your specific needs – see figure 1 below. The technology involves a core kit, either Kit A or Kit B, consisting of binding buffer, sbeadex particle suspension and elution buffer. In addition, there is a range of individual components (e.g. lysis buffers, Proteinase K solution, debris capture beads) that can be purchased separately. To help with optimisation of the lysis conditions, we also provide a sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit that includes both core kits, six different lysis buffers (PN, PVP, UR, BL, H, LI), Protease K solution and debris capture beads.

There are two different sbeadex Lightning core kits:

• Core Kit A is suitable for most sample types and is recommended for most plant samples (see tables 1 and 2 in technology and application data section).
• Core Kit B is suitable for specific sample types, especially mammalian tissue samples.

This game-changing innovation requires only a binding buffer, our proprietary sbeadex particles and an elution buffer to purify DNA quickly from a lysed sample. The (optional) wash step is performed with water, preventing organic/alcoholic traces in the eluate that might inhibit enzymatic downstream applications. This reduction in required buffers also saves plastic bottles and packaging material as well as storage space and shipping costs which additionally contributes to the environmental sustainability of our products.

Our original sbeadex chemistry utilises a novel two-step binding mechanism to bind and purify nucleic acids, in a 5-step protocol (post-lysis) that requires approximately 45 minutes processing time. The sbeadex beads allow efficient and high-quality purification of both small and large nucleic acid fragments without centrifugation steps. The beads are double-coated, resulting in a unique dual binding protocol that allows elution of ultrapure nucleic acids into water, significantly reducing solvent carryover that might affect downstream applications.

sbeadex Lightning nucleic acid purification protocol. By utilising a revolutionary novel one-step binding mechanism, sbeadex Lightning reduces the traditional magnetic bead-based nucleic acid purification workflow to a 3-step protocol (post-lysis) that typically requires just 5 minutes processing time.

Applications

• DNA purification for many downstream applications such as PCR/qPCR, RT-PCR or NGS
• Applicable to a wide range of sample types including plant and animal tissues (tables 1 and 2)

Chemistry format

The sbeadex Lightning chemistry comes as a modular system to enable you to compile an optimal kit tailored to your specific needs. We provide two versions of sbeadex Lightning core kits (Kit A or Kit B) that contains a sbeadex Lightning binding buffer (LP in Kit A and LU in Kit B), sbeadex particles suspension and elution buffer AMP. These core kits can be complemented with a range of individual components (e.g. lysis buffers, Protease K solution, debris capture beads) that can be purchased separately.

To help with optimisation of the lysis conditions, we also provide a sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit that includes the binding buffers of both core kits, six different lysis buffers (PN, PVP, UR, BL, H, LI), Protease K solution and debris capture beads. Our Quick guide for the sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit will help you to test and determine your optimal lysis and purification conditions.

How to get started with sbeadex Lightning technology

Order a sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit and test this with your samples. Once you have optimised your protocol, (2.) select/order the components to generate your tailor-made sbeadex Lightning solution (3.). *Please find sample-specific standard protocols online or contact techsupport@lgcgroup.com for assistance.

Note: Our first sbeadex Lightning protocols have been developed for purification of DNA from plant and animal samples but we are already developing protocols for other sample types. We have observed that sbeadex Lightning is also suitable for RNA isolation and are currently also validating this application.

If you are working with samples other than plant or animal, the sbeadex Lightning Nucleic Acid Purification Starter Kit can still be used to evaluate whether sbeadex Lightning is appropriate for your specific sample types.

Figure 1. How to get started with sbeadex Lightning technology.
1. Order a sbeadex Lightning Starter Kit and test this with your samples. Once you have optimised your protocol, (2.) select/order the components to generate your tailor-made sbeadex Lightning solution (3.). * Please find standard protocols and sample-specific lysis buffer recommendations online or contact techsupport@lgcgroup.com for assistance. 

sbeadex plant kits have been successfully used with:

Typical quantities of starting material are:

• 5-10 mg lyophilised tissue or 10-30 mg fresh tissue for the sbeadex Mini Plant DNA Purification Kit
• 10-30 mg lyophilised tissue or 40-120 mg fresh tissue for the sbeadex Maxi Plant DNA Purification Kit

The sbeadex Pathogen testing kits have been used successfully with:

Figure 1:  Demonstration of no loss of RNA during the sbeadex Pathogen Nucleic Acid Purification Kit protocol.  500 copies of a 2019-COVID artificial RNA reference material were added to a sample (nasopharyngeal swab) and the sample processed with the sbeadex Pathogen Nucleic Acid Purification Kit. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in this preparation and a directly spiked positive control sample via a RT-qPCR at two separate Biosearch Technologies sites. The concordant Cq values from both samples demonstrate no loss of sample due to the extraction step.

Table 1: Pathogens that have already been tested using the sbeadex Pathogen Nucleic Acid Purification Kit.

Standards used for testing

1. AccuPlex™ SARS-CoV-2 Verification Panel - Full Genome, 0505-0168 (LGC SeraCare)

2. AMPLIRUN® TOTAL RESPIRATORY VIRAL PANEL CONTROL (SWAB), MBTC020 (Vircell S.L.)

3. AMPLIRUN TOTAL ZIKV/DENV/CHIKV CONTROL (PLASMA), MBTC023 (Vircell S.L.)

4. AMPLIRUN TOTAL CMV CONTROL (PLASMA), MBTC018-R (Vircell S.L.)

5. AccuTrak™ HPV Genotype Qualification Panel, QSH701 (2400-0161), (LGC SeraCare)

6. AMPLIRUN TOTAL ATYPICAL BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA CONTROL (SWAB) MBTC022-R (Vircell S.L.)

7. AMPLIRUN TOTAL MTB CONTROL (SPUTUM) MBTC013 (Vircell S.L.)

8. AMPLIRUN TOTAL GASTROINTESTINAL BACTERIAL PANEL CONTROL (STOOL), MBTC021 (Vircell S.L.)

9. AMPLIRUN TOTAL CT/NG CONTROL (URINE), MBTC003 (Vircell S.L.)

10. NATtrol™ S. aureus (MRSA) External Run Control, NATSAU(MRSA)-ERCM (Zeptometrix Corporation)

11. NATtrol Candida/TV Positive Control, NATCTVPOS-BD (Zeptometrix Corporation)

Note: Other sample matrices may also be used with this kit. Further testing on other pathogens and matrices is in progress and this table will be updated accordingly.

The sbeadex livestock DNA testing kits have been used successfully with:

sbeadex Tissue DNA Purification Kits have been successfully used with: