Nucleic acid precipitation is used to concentrate and/or purify nucleic acids. The below protocol is based on the fact that nucleic acids are less soluble in alcohol than in more polar water. Addition of salt further decreases solubility by competing for water dipoles; as does low temperature. Please see the OpenWetWare website for more details.Citation: OpenWetWare contributors, 'Ethanol precipitation of nucleic acids', OpenWetWare, , 1 July 2012, 10:48 UTC, [accessed 21 January 2015]