this invention provides compositions and methods for rapid separation , isolation and purification of nucleopolymers , especially nucleic acids , from biological samples using anionic exchange media . the method of the present invention can utilize commercially available strong or weak anion exchanger materials with selected solutions of known ionic strength for adsorption and elution . the medium / nucleoprotein bound complex may be optionally stored or transported , but is subsequently treated with appropriate eluents to remove any undesirable proteins , including destabilizing enzymes , and inorganic salts and the like . the partially purified complex may also be stored or transported prior to further processing . the instant method is particularly advantageous as it provides the means for rapid isolation and purification of soluble nucleic acids obtained from samples of biological fluids of comparatively large volume , allowing ease of handling and storage , and stabilizing the samples against degradation prior to analysis . it also permits the purification and identification of shorter fragments of nucleic acids from bodily fluids which , up till now , had not been identified . the method is widely useful as a means to prepare samples formats that are convenient in diagnostic analytical methods , particularly those that rely on the detection , characterization and identification of nucleic acid sequences , from body fluids .