Researchers developed a simple, low-cost method to extract DNA from Cryptococcus neoformans fungal cells found in blood samples. The new method uses a homemade salt buffer solution instead of expensive commercial kits, making it accessible to laboratories in developing countries. Testing showed this method works better than an alternative ox-bile method, detecting very small numbers of fungal cells. This breakthrough could help doctors more quickly diagnose a serious fungal infection called cryptococcal meningitis in resource-limited settings.