[NHCOLL-L:1454] Formaline and DNA

[Tonya Haff]

Hello,

I am looking into the effects of formaline on DNA - I have a small 
herp collection, and I would like to add to it, but don't want to 
damage potential for future DNA extraction from wet specimens.  I 
have come across information on both sides of the fence - some 
articles state that formaldehyde solutions permanently damage tissue 
DNA, other articles state the opposite.  Does anyone have thoughts or 
information on this?  If formaline does affect DNA, can anyone 
suggest alternative preservation methods that are more DNA-friendly 
(perhaps freezing small tissue samples?).

Thanks,

Tonya
-- 
Tonya M. Haff, Senior Museum Scientist
Museum of Natural History Collections
Department of Environmental Studies
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064  USA
Phone: (831) 459-4763, Fax: (831) 459-4015
Email: thaff at cats.ucsc.edu