Advances in oligonucleotide technology has led to significant research benefits.

In today’s molecular biology techniques, chemically synthesized DNAs or RNAs are almost always employed. In recent years, the advances in oligonucleotide chemistries have led to a substantial increase in both yield and quality – as well as a drop in price costs. This has expanded the research field by a significant amount.

Unlike other reagents used in molecular biology, oligonucleotides are custom made according to the specific application for which it is intended for. Additionally, these advanced developments in oligonucleotide applications have opened up a series of new modifications, or known as a modified oligo, that can be utilized to produce high throughput analyses.

An Old Research Tool

Oligonucleotide technology dates all the way back to the discovery of DNA. The discovery of phosphoramidite chemistry in the 1980’s also made it possible to make standard lengths faster and more effectively. This was a turning point in oligonucleotide technology as a variety of options opened up for researchers.

Experimenting with and understanding ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides opened up many possibilities for researchers studying the solid supports and protection groups surrounding these components. Back in the 1960’s, a scheme was developed that involved three different type of protecting groups that surrounds the nucleotide itself. Through grand schemes and an in-depth look into the core of the synthesis process, the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, was born.

The Bottom Line

The transition of these techniques, as well as others like: HPLC, mass spectrometry, and CE have led to high quality and high throughput analytical platforms that improve on the handling of synthesis techniques.

If you’re shopping for oligonucleotides designed for DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, or other experiments, visit The Midland Certified Reagent Company online today.