DNA souvenir and biological sample DNA extraction and encapsulation method
By using proteinase K and SDS lysis reagents combined with chemical fixation technology, the convenience and stability issues of the DNA extraction process were solved, and long-term preservation of DNA at room temperature and the production of personalized souvenirs were achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510832833.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing DNA extraction technology has shortcomings in convenience, safety and stability, and it is difficult to meet the application needs in the civilian field. In particular, DNA is easily damaged under normal temperature conditions, making long-term preservation and efficient extraction impossible.
Proteinase K and SDS are used as lysis reagents, combined with organic solvent precipitation method or centrifugal column adsorption method to extract DNA, and then chemically fixed with a cross-linking agent, a cationic polymer or an anti-degradant, and embedded in a transparent decorative material for stable encapsulation.
It achieves efficient and safe extraction of DNA and long-term preservation at room temperature. The resulting DNA souvenirs have unique biometric identification value, meeting personalized and emotional commemorative needs.
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of biological products, and in particular to a DNA souvenir and a method for extracting and packaging DNA from a biological sample. Background Art
[0002] Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the carrier of biological genetic information, is the core molecule of life. Its unique double-helix structure and base sequence code constitute the ultimate identifier of individual biological characteristics. This polymer, composed of a phosphate backbone and four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine), forms the basis for unique identification at the species and even individual levels through the differential arrangement of billions of base pairs. With the development of modern molecular biology, DNA analysis technology has been widely used in forensic identification, kinship verification, and genetic disease screening. Its unique biological properties have gradually given rise to its potential value as a carrier of emotions.
[0003] Current conventional DNA extraction technologies mainly serve scientific research or medical scenarios, and the operating procedures usually rely on professional laboratory equipment and complex reagent systems. Taking the phenol-chloroform organic solvent extraction method as an example, it requires multiple centrifugation and exposure to highly toxic chemicals; the silica gel membrane centrifugal column method is limited by the cost of consumables and the degree of standardization of operations. While pursuing high-purity DNA products, these methods often ignore the convenience and safety of user operations, especially for minimally invasive samples such as hair and oral swabs. There are obvious limitations on the processing efficiency. More importantly, the DNA solution obtained by conventional technology is extremely susceptible to nuclease hydrolysis, oxidative damage and physical shearing at room temperature, and the storage period is usually no more than a few weeks, which seriously restricts its transformation and application in the civilian field.
[0004] In terms of preservation technology, existing solutions mostly use ultra-low temperature freezing (-20°C to -80°C) or freeze-drying to maintain DNA stability. Such methods not only rely on a continuous energy supply and specialized storage equipment, but also face the risk of degradation after repeated freezing and thawing. Although some studies have attempted to improve room temperature stability through cryoprotectants such as trehalose, the actual effect is still difficult to meet the long-term preservation needs in daily environments. In particular, when DNA needs to be integrated into physical objects as a visual element, existing technologies cannot solve the problem of structural damage during the material embedding process - such as double-strand dissociation caused by the release of heat during resin curing, or base cross-linking damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
[0005] Market demand for personalized bio-memorabilia continues to grow, but traditional mementos (such as photos and handprints) lack the depth of emotional connection unique to living things. While attempts have been made to directly encapsulate hair and ashes into jewelry, the biological information contained in these items is easily lost over time, making it impossible to achieve the permanent preservation of a true "symbol of life." Overcoming the three technical barriers of convenient DNA extraction, stable storage, and artistic presentation has become a core challenge in developing biometric memorabilia. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a DNA souvenir and a method for extracting and packaging DNA from biological samples. The finished product has unique biometric identification value, meets the needs of personalized and emotional commemoration, and has broad commercial promotion potential.
[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a method for extracting and encapsulating DNA from a biological sample, comprising the following steps: The samples were subjected to cell lysis and nucleic acid purification to obtain purified DNA; The purified DNA is stabilized and encapsulated and then embedded in transparent decorative materials to make DNA souvenirs; The nucleic acid purification process includes treating the sample with a lysis reagent, wherein the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and a detergent, or the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and SDS.
[0008] Preferably, the biological sample is selected from oral mucosal cells, blood or hair with hair follicles.
[0009] Preferably, the cell lysis and nucleic acid purification treatment of the sample includes: Isolate DNA by organic solvent precipitation or spin column adsorption; After washing, the DNA was resuspended in a buffer solution to obtain high-purity DNA.
[0010] Preferably, when the sample is oral mucosal cells, the cells are lysed and then the DNA is purified by alcohol precipitation.
[0011] Preferably, when the sample is blood, red blood cell lysis, white blood cell lysis, centrifugal column adsorption purification and buffer elution are performed in sequence.
[0012] Preferably, when the sample is hair, the hair follicle portion is retained and subjected to cell lysis, and then the nucleic acid is purified using an organic solvent extraction method or a commercial kit.
[0013] Preferably, the stabilized encapsulation includes chemical fixation using at least one of a cross-linking agent, a cationic polymer or an antidegradant, followed by gradient dehydration and transparency treatment, immersion in molten paraffin for penetration and solidification to achieve stabilized encapsulation.
[0014] Preferably, the cross-linking agent is formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, the cationic polymer is chitosan, and the antidegradant is EDTA.
[0015] Preferably, the transparent decorative material is selected from transparent resin, glass, crystal or acrylic.
[0016] The present invention also provides a DNA souvenir prepared by any of the above methods.
[0017] Technical effects and advantages of the present invention: The biological sample DNA extraction and encapsulation method provided by the present invention has an efficient and safe extraction process and is applicable to various non-invasive or minimally invasive samples; the stability encapsulation technology can achieve long-term storage of DNA under room temperature conditions to prevent degradation; the finished DNA souvenir has unique biometric identification value, meets the needs of personalized and emotional commemoration, and has broad commercial promotion potential. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention provides a method for extracting and encapsulating DNA from a biological sample, comprising the following steps: performing cell lysis and nucleic acid purification on the sample to obtain purified DNA; stabilizing and encapsulating the purified DNA and then embedding it into a transparent decorative material to make a DNA souvenir; the nucleic acid purification process comprises treating the sample with a lysis reagent, wherein the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and a detergent, or the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and SDS.
[0019] In the present invention, preferably, the biological sample is selected from oral mucosal cells, blood, or hair with follicles. Preferably, the sample cell lysis and nucleic acid purification process includes: isolating DNA by organic solvent precipitation or centrifugal column adsorption; washing and resuspending in a buffer solution to obtain high-purity DNA. Preferably, when the sample is oral mucosal cells, the cell lysis is followed by alcohol precipitation and DNA purification. Preferably, when the sample is blood, red blood cell lysis, white blood cell lysis, centrifugal column adsorption purification, and buffer elution are sequentially performed. Preferably, when the sample is hair, the hair follicle portion is retained for cell lysis and nucleic acid purification is performed using an organic solvent extraction method or a commercial kit. Preferably, the stabilization and encapsulation process includes chemical fixation using at least one of a crosslinker, a cationic polymer, or an antidegradant, followed by gradient dehydration and clearing, and then immersion in molten paraffin for infiltration and solidification to achieve stabilization and encapsulation. Preferably, the crosslinker is formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, the cationic polymer is chitosan, and the antidegradant is EDTA. Preferably, the transparent decorative material is selected from transparent resin, glass, crystal, or acrylic.
[0020] The present invention also provides a DNA souvenir prepared by any of the above methods.
[0021] In this invention, the DNA souvenirs described above can be made into products such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, ornaments, and artwork. They can also be expanded to include personalized functional components for everyday items. Specifically, they can be integrated into portable accessories (such as keychains and backpack buckles), carrying the user's biometric information through a micro-encapsulated unit; or embedded into the surfaces of high-touch items (such as mobile device cases and writing instrument handles) to form a unique biometric decorative layer. These implementations allow DNA souvenirs to transcend the traditional jewelry category and transform into a persistent biometric presence in everyday life.
[0022] In family settings, this technology can be used as a diverse emotional carrier. These include, but are not limited to: creating wearable identifiers based on companion animal biological samples (e.g., collar nameplate inlays); using newborn biological samples (umbilical cord tissue, deciduous teeth) to create growth commemorative packaging; and integrating DNA units from related individuals into spatially associated structures (e.g., a wedding ring base inlaid with DNA from two people), thus achieving a physical representation of kinship.
[0023] This souvenir is also suitable for ritually recording important life events. Typical applications include: collectively encapsulating the biological samples of multiple participants at graduation commemorations; integrating biometric features into wedding ritual supplies (such as vow seals and ring stand bases); and creating amulet-like portable packaging for travelers. These applications transform the biometric information of event participants into a tangible memory medium.
[0024] In terms of practical extensions, potential implementations include: educational platforms designed to represent biological forms (e.g., animal and plant outlines); pet ID tags incorporating unique biometric identifiers; and community-level bio-art installations (e.g., tree-like structures formed from anonymous sample collections). All of these possibilities rely on the stability and versatility of the core DNA packaging technology.
[0025] More broadly, this technology provides a fundamental path for the materialization of biometrics. Its essence lies in transforming genetic material into stable physical units adaptable to a variety of life scenarios, transcending the laboratory limitations of traditional biological sample storage. Through the diverse design of packaging media forms and carrier platforms, it can theoretically address multi-level application needs, including personal daily necessities, family memory preservation, and social event commemorations, creating a product ecosystem that combines biological uniqueness with practical practicality.
[0026] The technical solutions provided by the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0027] Example 1 Oral mucosa DNA extraction Within 30 minutes of not eating or rinsing the mouth, oral epithelial cells were scraped from the inner part of the mouth using a disposable buccal swab and immediately placed in a sampling tube containing cell preservation solution (Tris-EDTA buffer). Cells were lysed using proteinase K and SDS: 200 µL of cell lysis solution was added, followed by 20 µL of proteinase K (20 mg / mL), mixed, and incubated in a 56°C water bath for 30–60 minutes. DNA was precipitated with isopropanol, washed with 70% ethanol, air-dried, and resuspended in TE buffer to obtain high-purity genomic DNA.
[0028] Example 2 DNA extraction from blood Add 200–500 µL of anticoagulated whole blood to a centrifuge tube. Add an equal volume or five times the volume of red blood cell lysis buffer, mix by inversion, and incubate at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to lyse the red blood cells. Centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 1 minute, discard the supernatant, and retain the white blood cell pellet. Add 200 µL of cell lysis buffer, followed by 20 µL of proteinase K (20 mg / mL), mix thoroughly, and incubate in a 56°C water bath for 30–60 minutes. Add an equal volume of absolute ethanol and mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture to a spin column (containing a silica membrane) and centrifuge to bind the DNA. Add Buffer AW1, centrifuge to wash, then add Buffer AW2, and repeat the wash cycle. Centrifuge after each wash to remove impurities and salts. Add 50–100 µL of elution buffer (e.g., TE) to the center of the column membrane, incubate at room temperature for 2 minutes, and then centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 1 minute to collect the DNA solution.
[0029] Example 3 Hair DNA Extraction Obtain 5 to 10 hairs with follicles from the target individual. Cut the hair shaft, retaining the follicle portion, and place it in lysis buffer containing 20 µL of proteinase K (20 mg / mL) and 200 µL of detergent. Incubate in a 55°C water bath for 3 hours to lyse the cells. DNA is then purified using the phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol method. The resulting DNA is suitable for subsequent packaging and storage.
[0030] Example 4 To ensure long-term preservation of DNA samples under ambient conditions, chemical fixation techniques are employed. Formaldehyde, a crosslinking agent, is used to stabilize the DNA; chitosan is used to form a complex with the DNA; and EDTA, an antidegradant, is introduced to prevent nucleic acid hydrolysis. This process further enhances the structural stability of the DNA, facilitating subsequent embedding or display.
[0031] For specific parameters, see the general processing steps: Formaldehyde cross-linking treatment Mix the purified DNA solution (concentration ≥ 50 ng / μL) with neutral buffered formaldehyde solution to a final formaldehyde concentration of 1.0% (v / v); Incubate at 20-25°C for 20 minutes to induce cross-linking between DNA molecules; The reaction was terminated by adding glycine to a final concentration of 0.1 M, and the residual reagents were removed by centrifugation.
[0032] Chitosan-DNA complex The cross-linked DNA was mixed with 0.02% (w / v) chitosan solution (dissolved in 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 5.5) at a volume ratio of 1:1; After vortexing, the mixture was allowed to stand for 15 minutes to allow the DNA-cationic polymer complex to form.
[0033] EDTA anti-degradation treatment Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-Na2) was added to the complex to a final concentration of 5 mM; After mixing, store at 4°C until use. EDTA inhibits nuclease activity by chelating magnesium ions.
[0034] Example 5 To ensure long-term preservation of DNA samples under environmental conditions, chemical fixation techniques were used. The crosslinker glutaraldehyde was used to stabilize the DNA; the cationic polymer chitosan was used to form a complex with the DNA; and a DNA protection enzyme inhibitor was introduced to prevent nucleic acid hydrolysis.
[0035] Example 6 To achieve DNA visualization and commercial applications, the present invention embeds fixed DNA in a transparent material. Paraffin embedding is a common and stable method for tissue preservation. The procedure is as follows: chemically fixed samples are dehydrated (using graded ethanol) and transparentized (using xylene treatment); then immersed in molten paraffin, cooled and solidified after full penetration; and the embedded block is sectioned and encapsulated in resin.
[0036] Example 7 To achieve DNA visualization and commercial applications, the present invention embeds fixed DNA in a transparent material. Paraffin embedding is a common and stable method for tissue preservation. The procedure is as follows: chemically fixed samples are dehydrated (using graded ethanol) and made transparent (using xylene treatment); then immersed in molten paraffin, cooled and solidified after full penetration; and the entire embedded block is encapsulated in glass.
[0037] Example 8 To achieve DNA visualization and commercial applications, the present invention embeds fixed DNA in a transparent material. Paraffin embedding is a common and stable method for tissue preservation. The procedure is as follows: chemically fixed samples are dehydrated (using graded ethanol) and made transparent (using xylene treatment); then immersed in molten paraffin, cooled and solidified after full penetration; and the entire embedded block is encapsulated in crystal.
[0038] Example 9 To achieve DNA visualization and commercial applications, the present invention embeds fixed DNA in a transparent material. Paraffin embedding is a common and stable method for tissue preservation. The procedure is as follows: chemically fixed samples are dehydrated (using graded ethanol) and made transparent (using xylene treatment); then immersed in molten paraffin, cooled and solidified after full penetration; and the entire embedded block is encapsulated in acrylic.
[0039] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for extracting and encapsulating DNA from biological samples, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: The samples were subjected to cell lysis and nucleic acid purification to obtain purified DNA; The purified DNA is stabilized and encapsulated and then embedded in transparent decorative materials to make DNA souvenirs; The nucleic acid purification process includes treating the sample with a lysis reagent, wherein the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and a detergent, or the lysis reagent comprises proteinase K and SDS.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The biological sample is selected from oral mucosal cells, blood or hair with hair follicles.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Sample cell lysis and nucleic acid purification include: Isolate DNA by organic solvent precipitation or spin column adsorption; After washing, resuspend in buffer to obtain high-purity DNA.
4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that When the sample is oral mucosal cells, the cells are lysed and then the DNA is purified by alcohol precipitation.
5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that When the sample is blood, red blood cell lysis, white blood cell lysis, centrifugal column adsorption purification and buffer elution are performed in sequence.
6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that When the sample is hair, the hair follicle portion is retained and subjected to cell lysis, and then the nucleic acid is purified using an organic solvent extraction method or a commercial kit.
7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The stabilized encapsulation includes chemical fixation using at least one of a cross-linking agent, a cationic polymer or an antidegradant, followed by gradient dehydration and transparency treatment, immersion in molten paraffin for penetration and solidification to achieve stabilized encapsulation.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The cross-linking agent is formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, the cationic polymer is chitosan, and the antidegradation agent is EDTA.
9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The transparent decorative material is selected from transparent resin, glass, crystal or acrylic.
10. The DNA souvenir prepared by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.