Extraction of nucleic acids using small diameter magnetically-responsive particles

A method for reversibly binding at least one nucleic acid molecule comprising:

• (i) creating a mixture in a container, the mixture comprising a sample comprising at least one molecule of nucleic acid, at least one magnetically-responsive particle having a diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 1.0 μm, and a remainder;
• (ii) providing the mixture with an acidic pH thereby altering the surface charge properties of the at least one magnetically-responsive particle, wherein the alteration in the surface change properties of the at least one magnetically-responsive particle causes the at least one molecule of nucleic acid to become non-specifically bound to the at least one magnetically-responsive particle to form a complex;
• (iii) applying a magnetic field to the complex;
• (iv) removing the remainder of the mixture from the container while the magnetic field is applied to the complex;
• (v) eluting the at least one molecule of nucleic acid from the at least one magnetically-responsive particle;
• and
• (vi) reapplying the magnetic field to the eluted at least one magnetically-responsive particle, thereby separating the at least one magnetically-responsive particle from the at least one molecule of nucleic acid.