Bacterial plasmids, the non-genomic transferable DNA, can easily be purified from bacteria using numerous techniques.  The purification of DNA is important for genetic research as it provides a source of transferable DNA and allows researchers to isolate large amounts of recombinant DNA. A second commonly used technique for plasmid isolation, following lysis of bacteria, is when the DNA is immobilized on a glass particle support, where it can be washed free of contaminants and then the purified DNA is eluted.
Students learn an alternative technique for plasmid purification, utilizing a DNA binding solid support to purify the DNA from a bacterial lysis.