Grant: Engage Grants Program

Oligonucleotide probes have found extensive applications in areas such as molecular biology, imaging, anddiagnostics. These probes incorporate reporters such as fluorophores, chromophores, and other modifiedreporters that allow for the visualization of target nucleic acid sequences using a wide range of techniques.While some oligonucleotide probes are prepared directly through the solid phase synthesis, many reporters areincompatible with the conditions that are used in this approach. As a result, post-synthetic modifications, i.e.conjugation reactions, are performed after solid phase synthesis to covalently link the reporters tooligonucleotides. Post-synthetic modifications are often inefficient in terms of reaction kinetics and/or yields,and involve tedious purifications steps. ACGT Corporation has an invested interest in developing noveloligonucleotides through either direct incorporation by the phosphoramidite chemistry or post-syntheticmodifications. The present proposal will develop protocols for the bioconjugation of oligonucleotides withprobes through the azido-alkyn Click chemistry.