Fragmentation of DNA by Sonication
This protocol was adapted from “Commonly Used Techniques in Molecular Cloning,” Appendix 8, in Molecular Cloning, Volume 3, 3rd edition (eds. Sambrook and Russell). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA, 2001.INTRODUCTION
DNA fragmentation is often necessary prior to library construction or subcloning for DNA sequencing. This protocol describes a method for DNA fragmentation by sonication. During sonication, DNA samples are subjected to hydrodynamic shearing by exposure to brief periods of sonication. DNA that has been sonicated for excessive periods of time is extremely difficult to clone. Most sonicators will not shear DNA to a size of less than 300-500 bp, and it is tempting to continue sonication until the entire DNA population has been reduced in size. However, the yield of subclones is usually greater if sonication is stopped when the fragments of the target DNA first reach a size of ~700 bp.
