Nucleic acid extractors are widely used in the following fields:

I. Medical Field

1. Clinical Diagnosis
   • Infectious Disease Diagnosis
     It is used to detect the nucleic acids of various pathogens, such as viruses (e.g., COVID – 19 virus, influenza virus, hepatitis B virus), bacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli), and parasites (e.g., Plasmodium, Schistosoma). During the outbreak of infectious diseases, it can rapidly extract nucleic acids from a large number of patient samples, providing support for timely diagnosis and epidemic control. For example, during the COVID – 19 pandemic, nucleic acid extractors played a crucial role in detecting whether patients were infected with the novel coronavirus, which was helpful for quickly isolating infected individuals and preventing the spread of the virus.
   • Genetic Disease Diagnosis
     DNA is extracted from samples such as amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, and peripheral blood of fetuses or patients for diagnosing chromosomal – abnormal diseases (such as Down syndrome) and single – gene genetic diseases (such as thalassemia, cystic fibrosis). Through gene sequencing and analysis of the extracted nucleic acids, doctors can determine whether there are mutations in disease – causing genes, providing a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
   • Tumor Diagnosis and Monitoring
     Tumor – related nucleic acid markers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and microRNA (miRNA) exist in the blood, tissues, or body fluids of tumor patients. Nucleic acid extractors can extract these nucleic acids to detect abnormal changes in tumor – related genes, such as mutations and methylation, assisting in the early diagnosis of tumors. During the treatment process, nucleic acids can also be regularly extracted to monitor the treatment effect. For example, observing changes in the level of ctDNA can help determine whether the tumor has recurred or developed drug resistance.
2. Medical Research
   • Gene Function Research
     When studying gene functions, high – quality nucleic acids need to be extracted from cells or tissues. Nucleic acid extractors can quickly and efficiently complete this process, providing pure nucleic acid samples for subsequent experiments such as gene cloning, expression analysis, and gene editing (e.g., CRISPR – Cas9 technology), helping researchers understand the role of genes in physiological and pathological processes.
   • Drug Development
     In the process of drug development, especially for the development of gene – therapy drugs and targeted drugs, nucleic acids need to be extracted from cells or tissues to screen drug targets and evaluate drug efficacy. Nucleic acid extractors provide basic data for drug development by accurately extracting nucleic acids. For example, determining the effect of drugs on the expression of specific genes can accelerate the development of new drugs.

II. Forensic Field

1. Individual Identification
   At crime scenes, forensic scientists can extract DNA from biological samples such as bloodstains, hairs, saliva, and semen. Nucleic acid extractors can rapidly process these complex samples and extract high – quality DNA. Through DNA typing techniques (such as short – tandem repeat analysis), the extracted DNA can be compared with the known samples of suspects or victims to determine their identities. This is a very crucial technical means in solving criminal cases and identifying the victims of disasters.
2. Paternity Testing
   DNA is extracted from samples such as oral swabs and blood of parents and children. Nucleic acid extractors can ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the extraction process. Then, using gene – typing and comparison techniques, the paternity index is calculated to determine the parent – child relationship, providing scientific evidence for judicial cases and family disputes.

III. Food Safety Field

1. Genetically Modified Food Detection
   It is used to extract the nucleic acids in genetically modified foods. By detecting specific genetically – modified elements (such as promoters, terminators, and target genes), it can be determined whether the food is genetically modified and the content of its genetically – modified components. This helps protect consumers’ right to know, ensure food safety, and also complies with relevant food regulations and regulatory requirements.
2. Food – borne Pathogen Detection
   Nucleic acids of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites are extracted from food or food – processing environment samples (such as meat, vegetables, and the surface of processing workshops) to detect the presence of pathogenic microorganisms (such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, norovirus). Rapid and accurate nucleic acid extraction can help detect food – safety hazards in a timely manner and prevent the spread of food – borne diseases.

IV. Environmental Science Field

1. Microbial Diversity Research
   In environmental microbiology research, nucleic acid extractors can extract the nucleic acids of microorganisms from environmental samples such as soil, water, and air. Through analysis of these nucleic acids, such as gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, the diversity, community structure, and functional genes of microorganisms can be understood, and the health status of the ecosystem and the impact of environmental changes on microorganisms can be evaluated.
2. Bioremediation Monitoring
   During the bioremediation of polluted sites, nucleic acid extractors can extract the nucleic acids of microorganisms involved in the remediation process to monitor the gene expression and metabolic activity of microorganisms. For example, in the bioremediation of oil – contaminated soil, the effect of bioremediation can be evaluated by monitoring the nucleic acid changes of microorganisms that degrade oil, providing a scientific basis for environmental governance.