Mailing Plasmid DNA

Sending and receiving plasmid DNA by mail.

To send plasmid DNA by mail:

Spot 5 µl (0.1-1µg) of plasmid DNA onto sterile Whatman filter paper. Circle spot with pen or marker and let dry.

Wrap filter paper in saran wrap and send out by regular mail.

To recover plasmid:

Cut out inside the circle with clean scissors or blade.

Cut the circle in half (store half in the fridge just in case).

To the other half circle, place in microfuge tube and add 50 µl TE buffer and incubate a few minutes.

Remove 5 µl of eluted DNA and electroporate into electrocompetent E. coli cells.

Thanks to Anneke M. Metz, Ph.D., Montana State University for this protocol