Rapid method for isolating extracellular nucleic acids

The present invention pertains to a method for isolating extracellular nucleic acids from a sample, wherein said sample is optionally stabilized, by binding the extracellular nucleic acids to a solid phase which carries anion exchange groups, comprising the following steps:a. binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the solid phase in a binding mixture having a first pH which allows binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the anion exchange groups of the solid phase; wherein the sample makes up at least 85% of the volume of the binding mixture;b. separating the solid phase with the bound extracellular nucleic acids;c. optionally washing the extracellular nucleic acids;d. optionally eluting extracellular nucleic acids from the solid phase.The method has the advantage that large sample volumes can be processed and that extracellular nucleic acids can be isolated rapidly with a high yield. The method is particularly suitable for automatable processes.