Methods and systems for isolating and identifying nucleic acid from a plurality of microorganisms and viruses

A method for isolating nucleic acids from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses from an aquatic or marine species, comprising:

• a. obtaining the aquatic or marine species sample comprising nucleic acids from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses,
• b. subjecting the sample to a serial centrifugation procedure comprising,
• i. performing a first centrifugation under conditions that subject the nucleic acids in the sample to a force of between around 8,000×g to around 12,000×g,
• ii. isolating a first supernatant and a first pellet,
• iii. performing a second centrifugation of the first supernatant under conditions that subject the nucleic acid in the sample to a force of between about 18,000 ×g to about 35,000×g, in the presence or absence of a liquid centrifugation medium, and
• iv. retaining about 85 μl of a second supernatant comprising the plurality of microorganisms or viruses of interest,
• wherein the nucleic acids are isolated from the plurality of microorganisms or viruses.

A method for isolating nucleic acids from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses from a population of foodstuffs or livestock, comprising:

• a. obtaining the sample of foodstuff or livestock sample comprising nucleic acid from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses,
• b. subjecting the sample to a serial centrifugation procedure comprising,
• i. performing a first centrifugation under conditions that subject the nucleic acid in the sample to a force of between around 8,000×g to around 12,000×g,
• ii. isolating a first supernatant and a first pellet,
• iii. performing a second centrifugation of the first supernatant under conditions that subject the nucleic acid in the sample to a force of between about 18,000×g to about 35,000×g, in the presence or absence of a liquid centrifugation medium, and
• iv. retaining about 85 μl of a second supernatant comprising the plurality of microorganisms or viruses of interest,
• wherein the nucleic acids are isolated from the plurality of microorganisms or viruses.

A method for isolating nucleic acids from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses from a population of horses, goats, sheep pigs, or cows, comprising:

• a. obtaining the horse, goats, sheep, pig, or cow sample comprising nucleic acids from a plurality of microorganisms or viruses,
• b. subjecting the sample to a serial centrifugation procedure comprising,
• i. performing a first centrifugation under conditions that subject the nucleic acid in the sample to a force of between around 8,000×g to around 12,000×g,
• ii. isolating a first supernatant and a first pellet,
• iii. performing a second centrifugation of the first supernatant under conditions that subject the nucleic acid in the sample to a force of between about 18,000×g to about 35,000×g, in the presence or absence of a liquid centrifugation medium, and
• iv. retaining about 85 μl of a second supernatant comprising the plurality of microorganisms or viruses of interest, wherein the nucleic acids are isolated from the plurality of microorganisms or viruses.