Methods and kits for isolating target nucleic acids below a target size from a sample

A method for isolating target nucleic acids below a target size from a sample comprising nucleic acid components;

• comprising the steps of:
• (a) preparing a sample solution from the sample;
• (b) contacting a plurality of beads with the sample solution, wherein the nucleic acid components bind to the plurality of beads to form a beads-analyte complex;
• (c) mixing the beads-analyte complex with a fractionation buffer comprising at least one chaotropic agent to form a bulk fractionation solution, wherein the target nucleic acids below the target size are released from the beads-analyte complex into the bulk fractionation solution;
• (d) immobilizing the beads-analyte complex;
• and
• (e) separating the bulk fractionation solution comprising the isolated target nucleic acids below the target size from the immobilized beads-analyte complex.