Abstract: Compositions and processes for isolation or purification of DNA are provided. The compositions are hydroxylated silica polymers produced by reacting silicon dioxide with an alkaline solution, followed by acidification. The hydroxylated silicas produced by this process can be used to bind DNA in aqueous solutions, without the need for binding reagents such as alcohols or chaotropes. The bound DNA may then be separated from the solution and eluted into water or a buffer by heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon-containing material which exhibits sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the material. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the silicon-containing material. Preferred silicon-containing materials of the present invention include boron silicate, aluminum silicate, phosphosilicate, silica carbonyl, silica sulfonyl and silica phosphonyl. The silicon-containing materials of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the silicon-containing material, the silicon-containing material is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the material, and the bound DNA is eluted from the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.