Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections
Museum beetle specimens are valuable resources for genetic analyses; however, obtaining DNA from aged specimens remains challenging due to degradation, desiccation, and contamination. In this study, we present a simple, low-cost protocol for extracting DNA from museum beetles, optimized using cetylt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | MethodsX |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000834 |
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| author | Hathal M. Al-Dhafer Raju Balaji Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem Iftekhar Rasool Amr Mohamed Senthilkumar Palanisamy |
| author_facet | Hathal M. Al-Dhafer Raju Balaji Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem Iftekhar Rasool Amr Mohamed Senthilkumar Palanisamy |
| author_sort | Hathal M. Al-Dhafer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Museum beetle specimens are valuable resources for genetic analyses; however, obtaining DNA from aged specimens remains challenging due to degradation, desiccation, and contamination. In this study, we present a simple, low-cost protocol for extracting DNA from museum beetles, optimized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). This method effectively addresses common issues such as DNA fragmentation and contamination, enabling the recovery of DNA suitable for downstream applications such as PCR and next-generation sequencing. It provides a reproducible, non-destructive approach to extracting genetic material from fragile beetle specimens, thereby facilitating molecular investigations in fields such as taxonomy and conservation biology. The protocol is summarized as follows: • A method for DNA extraction is optimized for museum beetle specimens preserved for over 45 years. • The protocol is non-destructive and compatible with PCR and next-generation sequencing. • Multiple extractions can be pooled to increase yields, particularly when DNA concentrations are low.This method broadens the possibilities for genetic analysis of historical specimens, offering new insights into long-term ecological and evolutionary processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a0253eefd9b4d53bc1bb8461052d707 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2215-0161 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MethodsX |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a0253eefd9b4d53bc1bb8461052d7072025-08-20T03:30:29ZengElsevierMethodsX2215-01612025-06-011410323610.1016/j.mex.2025.103236Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collectionsHathal M. Al-Dhafer0Raju Balaji1Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem2Iftekhar Rasool3Amr Mohamed4Senthilkumar Palanisamy5Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding authors.Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, IndiaPlant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaPlant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, EgyptDepartment of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India; Corresponding authors.Museum beetle specimens are valuable resources for genetic analyses; however, obtaining DNA from aged specimens remains challenging due to degradation, desiccation, and contamination. In this study, we present a simple, low-cost protocol for extracting DNA from museum beetles, optimized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). This method effectively addresses common issues such as DNA fragmentation and contamination, enabling the recovery of DNA suitable for downstream applications such as PCR and next-generation sequencing. It provides a reproducible, non-destructive approach to extracting genetic material from fragile beetle specimens, thereby facilitating molecular investigations in fields such as taxonomy and conservation biology. The protocol is summarized as follows: • A method for DNA extraction is optimized for museum beetle specimens preserved for over 45 years. • The protocol is non-destructive and compatible with PCR and next-generation sequencing. • Multiple extractions can be pooled to increase yields, particularly when DNA concentrations are low.This method broadens the possibilities for genetic analysis of historical specimens, offering new insights into long-term ecological and evolutionary processes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000834DNA extraction and PCR amplification of COI barcode |
| spellingShingle | Hathal M. Al-Dhafer Raju Balaji Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem Iftekhar Rasool Amr Mohamed Senthilkumar Palanisamy Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections MethodsX DNA extraction and PCR amplification of COI barcode |
| title | Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| title_full | Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| title_fullStr | Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| title_short | Simple DNA extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| title_sort | simple dna extraction for museum beetle specimens to unlock genetic data from historical collections |
| topic | DNA extraction and PCR amplification of COI barcode |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125000834 |
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