Magnetic particle transport through organogel – an application to DNA extraction

An observation that magnetic particles are transported through organogel encouraged us to investigate its feasibility of liquid-phase displacement in DNA extraction using magnetic particles. Organogel for this study was prepared from a gelator, 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA), and an apolar solvent, methylphenylsilicone oil. The organogel is a gel-like solid material with hydrophobic and elastic properties. These properties, hydrophobicity, and elasticity were demonstrated to be advantageous for liquid compartmentalization and efficient liquid-phase displacement. The extracted DNA with using the organogel device was successfully detected off-chip by conventional real-time PCR. [Display omitted] •Magnetic particles can be transported through organogel.•During the particle transport, liquid around the particle is shed out.•Carry-over volume is significantly reduced by the shedding effect.•A solid-phase extraction device using organogel was fabricated.•DNA extracted from the blood by using the organogel device was successfully amplified.