Abstract: A method for at least partially separating viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids from eukaryotic nucleic acids from a biological sample includes re-suspending the cells in the presence of a chelating agent, lysis of the cells by chemical lysis, and/or mechanical lysis, neutralizing the cell lysate and separating the precipitated eukaryotic nucleic acids and obtaining the viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids. A kit includes a re-suspension buffer with chelating agent and optionally a saccharide and RNAse, lysis buffer including at least one base and a detergent and neutralizing buffer for at least partially separating viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids from eukaryotic nucleic acids from a biological sample. The acid constant of the weak anion defines the pH value and kosmotropic property of the salt (cation+anion) in conjunction with the detergent, which determines the protein solubility and precipitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for at least partially separating viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids from eukaryotic nucleic acids from a biological sample, in particular a eukaryotic cell suspension, comprising the following steps in the following order: a) re-suspending the cells in the presence of a chelating agent, in particular EDTA or EDTA in combination with a saccharide, b) lysis of the cells by chemical lysis, such as alkaline lysis, enzymatic lysis and/or boiling lysis and/or mechanical lysis, c) neutralizing the cell lysate and d) separating the precipitated eukaryotic nucleic acids and obtaining the viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids, as well as the use of a kit comprising a re-suspension buffer with chelating agent and optionally a saccharide and RNAse, lysis buffer comprising at least one base and a detergent and neutralizing buffer for at least partially separating viral and/or prokaryotic nucleic acids from eukaryotic nucleic acids from a biological sample, in particular a eukaryotic