In recognition of the importance of SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) in preventing the non-specific adhesion of nucleic acids to the surface of polypropylene microfuge tubes, it has been conferred the status of Breaker Laboratory "Molecule of the Year"

Engineering functional nucleic acids by in vitro evolution typically relies on the successful isolation and manipulation of infinitesimal concentrations of RNA and DNA. Therefore, even the loss of attomole quantities of RNA and DNA can be severely detrimental to the molecular engineering process. In 1995 it was established that SDS concentrations as low as 0.001% (w/v) are sufficient to preclude the losses of trace amounts of DNA due to non-specific adhesion to the surface of microfuge tubes. The application of SDS in this fashion is one of several critical technical advances that make possible the success of challenging in vitro evolution experiments.

Yale University Investigator: Dr. Ronald R. Breaker. Ph.D.