cDNA purification prior to shearing (for Illumina sequencing)

[graumantel]

Hi!

I recently got the SMARTer Ultra Low RNA Kit for Illumina Sequencing, and I'm confused about their way to purify ss- and ds cDNA (they recommend Ampure XP beads).

Now using these beads would require to get the entire other equipment required (magnet, etc). So, are there other useful and reliable ways of purifying the cDNA before shearing (like Qiagen PCR purification kit)? Does anyone know the differences in recovery and length bias?

Thanks in advance for your help!

G.

[luc]

I do not know this kit, but the acquisition of some magnetic racks etc. will likely be a good investment in any case. The magnetic beads are very convenient for all kinds of scenarios. For low throughput work you can easily rig yourself something useful with $5 rare earth magnet from Amazon.

[graumantel]

Thanks!

That's what I ended up doing. I've never used these beads before so it might be worth trying them out (it 2012 after all), at least to do some comparisons with regard to recovery and purification from primers.