The specific applications of nucleic acid extraction reagents are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
Nucleic acid extraction reagents are key tools in the detection of infections caused by pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. For example, during the COVID – 19 pandemic, by extracting the viral nucleic acid from patients’ samples and using techniques such as real – time fluorescent quantitative PCR, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine whether a person is infected with the novel coronavirus. For viral infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the viral nucleic acid can be extracted from blood samples to detect the viral load, assisting doctors in disease diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment plan formulation.
Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases
Many genetic diseases are caused by gene mutations or chromosomal abnormalities. Nucleic acid extraction reagents can extract DNA from samples such as patients’ blood, amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, or tissues. Through techniques such as gene sequencing and gene chips, specific gene mutation sites can be detected, enabling prenatal diagnosis, carrier screening, and pre – symptomatic diagnosis of genetic diseases, such as the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and hemophilia.

Early Cancer Screening
During the growth of cancer cells, nucleic acids such as DNA are released into body fluids like blood, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Nucleic acid extraction reagents can extract ctDNA from blood samples. Combined with high – throughput sequencing and other techniques, cancer – related gene mutations can be detected, achieving early cancer screening. For example, detecting gene mutations related to lung cancer, such as EGFR and KRAS, helps to detect lesions in the early stages of cancer, improving the cure rate of patients.
Personalized Cancer Treatment
The gene mutation situations of different cancer patients vary, as do their responses to treatment drugs. By using nucleic acid extraction reagents to obtain nucleic acids from tumor tissues or blood for genetic testing, it can guide personalized cancer treatment. For example, for breast cancer patients, detecting whether the HER2 gene is amplified can determine whether the patient is suitable for targeted drugs such as trastuzumab.

Individual Identification
In crime scenes, traffic accidents, and other scenarios, biological samples such as bloodstains, hairs, and saliva are often obtained. Nucleic acid extraction reagents can extract DNA from these samples. Through techniques such as STR typing and SNP analysis, an individual’s DNA fingerprint can be established for individual identification and identity verification, providing key evidence for solving cases.
Paternity Testing
Nucleic acid extraction reagents are used to extract DNA from samples such as the blood or oral swabs of parents and children. By detecting genetic markers at multiple gene loci and analyzing the genetic matching degree between parents and children, paternity testing can be carried out, which is of great significance in legal and family relationship determination.

Gene Expression Research
In biological research, nucleic acid extraction reagents can be used to extract RNA from cells or tissues. Through techniques such as reverse transcription PCR and RNA – seq, the expression levels and regulatory mechanisms of genes in different tissues, at different developmental stages, and under different environmental conditions can be studied, helping to gain an in – depth understanding of the nature of life activities and the molecular mechanisms of disease occurrence.
Gene Editing Research
In gene – editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, it is necessary to first extract the nucleic acid of cells, analyze the target gene, and design an editing strategy. Then, the editing tools are introduced into the cells. Subsequently, through nucleic acid extraction and detection techniques, the effect of gene editing can be verified, providing support for research on gene therapy and genetic improvement.