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The PDQeX phytoGEM kit offers a simple hands-off method for DNA extraction and purification of a variety of plant samples.

Using MicroGEM’s PDQeX Nucleic Acid Extractor, there are only two simple steps – quick sample prep and closed tube automated DNA extraction and purification. The method provides quicker turn-around time for all plant sample types, even your toughest challenges.

• Thermophilic proteinase and mesophilic cell wall degrading glycosyl hydrolases lyse cells, destroy nucleases, digest protein and release DNA
• Streamlined approach provides plant to PCR-ready DNA from up to 24 samples of plant tissue, fungi or plant pathogens in less than 15 minutes
• Easy sampling (such as crushing leaves onto a storage card) provides a long-term storage solution
• Flexibility to use homogenized leaves or ground plant tissue – whichever sample prep suits your needs
• Quick sample prep frees up technician time, reduces lab costs, and speeds up response time
• Disposable, sealed tube protects the integrity of the sample
• Superior removal of inhibitors
• Simplified workflow and quick DNA extraction result in faster answers and interventions

Plant

Extracting DNA from plants can be challenging because of their tough cell walls and the inhibitory polysaccharides and tannins released during the extraction process.  Tissue grinding followed by silica beads, columns or organic solvents becomes a multistep process, both labor-intensive and time-consuming.

The PDQeX phytoGEM kit provides a simple hands-off approach to produce high-quality DNA extraction for most plant-based molecular studies.

Sample prep is easy:

• a quick punch of the leaf sample onto a storage card
• also suitable for homogenized or ground plant tissues – whichever sample prep suits your needs
• no freezing or degradation of the sample.

The PDQeX closed tube system uses our thermophilic proteinase combined with a cocktail of mesophilic cell wall degrading glycosyl hydrolases. These enzymes systematically lyse cells, destroy nucleases, digest proteins, and release DNA. Purification is achieved in the same closed tube system. The entire process, achieved on the PDQeX Nucleic Acid Extractor, achieves PCR-ready DNA in under 15 minutes, helping you to quickly find answers to urgent questions about your plant and your plant’s health.

Plant Pathogens

Plant diseases cause an estimated 10-20% loss in agricultural productivity worldwide. Many pathogens go untreated resulting in unintended crop destruction due to disease or controlled crop destruction to contain spread. Early detection of pathogens is vital for successful crop management. It allows proactive control measures to be applied well before the establishment and spread of a disease.

Historically, a bottleneck to early detection and pathogen characterization is the DNA extraction process. Current extraction practices are time consuming, often requiring elaborate sample preparation followed by a laborious chemical lysis and purification process.

MicroGEM’s phytoGEM kit provides a simple hands-off approach to DNA extraction ideal for studying endophytic plant pathogens. Using MicroGEM’s proprietary extractor cartridge, precise temperature-controlled enzymatic lysis is performed on the automated PDQeX Nucleic Acid Extractor, helping you quickly find answers to urgent questions about your plant’s health.

phytoGEM has been validated for the detection of the following pathogens:

1. Bacteria- Xyllela fastidiosa from different fruit trees and berries, Pseudomonassyringae actinidiae (Psa) detection in kiwifruit, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum from vector Bactericera cockerelli.
2. Oomycetes- Phytophthora in kauri, pine and oak.
3. Phytoplasma in grapevines.
4. Viruses- Cassava Mosaic Virus, Cassava White Fly Virus.

Fungi

The introduction of molecular techniques has allowed significant steps to be made in genomics, and in many areas of applied mycology, molecular based approaches have become routine for strain characterization, pathogen detection and identification. Molecular methods are now giving major insights into how fungi function in the environment, where they are present, and how they interact with associated organisms.

DNA extraction from fungi comes with some of the same challenges faced with plants- tough cell walls and inhibitory polyphenols and polysaccharides. Additionally, many fungi are pathogenic and need to be handled carefully.

Conventional DNA extraction methods from fungal cells are very time-consuming or show poor recovery of DNA. PhytoGEM’s enzymatic lysis method effectively extracts DNA from fungal cells using a closed tube system to ensure precise temperature-controlled enzymatic lysis with no harsh chemical washes required. Purification is achieved in the same closed tube system protecting yields while reducing opportunities for contamination.

microGEM phytoGEM video

Extractor Tube                

  The disposable extractor tube contains all the equipment for processing the sample and ejecting the DNA.

       • Eliminates transfer steps

       • Makes setup easy

       • Reduces waste

       • Protected from contamination

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Customer Testimonial

"MicroGEM’s innovative PDQeX Nucleic Acid extractor used with the phytoGEM kit has been incredibly beneficial in a recent project where other molecular methods were compared.  The PDQex system proved very sensitive and was quick and easy to use with much less hands-on time and fewer safety aspects than our current method.  This resulted in cost savings in reagents and staff time.  Additionally, the support provided from MicroGEM in using and adapting our methods has been exemplary and the passion and enthusiasm in the products is such that can only lead to further successes"  Fera Science March 2021

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