Method and apparatus for isolating nucleic acids

A method of isolating nucleic acids, the method comprising:

• contacting a nucleic acid-containing sample with a nucleic acid-binding solid support to bind a nucleic acid to the nucleic acid-binding solid support, thereby forming a nucleic acid-solid support complex;
• washing the nucleic acid-binding solid support to remove nucleic acid-containing sample that is not bound to the nucleic acid-binding solid support after the contacting;
• adding an eluent to the nucleic acid-solid support complex;
• dispersing the nucleic acid-solid support complex in the added eluent by injection of pressurized gas or adding ultrasonic waves to the eluent;
• and
• separating the eluent from the nucleic acid-binding solid support,
• wherein the dispersing is performed by adjusting the pressure of the pressurized gas or an intensity of the ultrasonic waves for a constant period of time, and
• wherein the adjusting of the pressure of the gas or the adjusting of the intensity of the ultrasonic waves is performed by sequentially performing a pulse and a rest thereby releasing the nucleic acid from the nucleic acid-solid support complex.