The MagDEA Dx LV is a magnetic bead-based chemistry for extracting total nucleic acids from whole blood. Sample starting volume up to 5mL is possible, but smaller volumes can be used by bringing the sample volume up to 5 mL with PBS. The extraction process includes sample lysis, proteinase K digestion, magnetic bead adsorption, washing and elution for high-yield and high-purity DNA/RNA recovery with extremely low guanidinium salt carry over. The reagent cartridge is self-contained providing all necessary chemistry and waste collection.