Conformational properties of oligonucleotides.
Vast libraries of oligonucleotide sequences can be made. Such libraries have been screened and/or selected to identify individual molecules showing various properties, including high affinity/high specificity binding (to something) or new enzymatic activity. The SELEX protocol is used to identify these interesting oligonucleotides; two recent reviews of the SELEX protocol and its power have appeared recently. Oligonucleotides derived through the SELEX process have applications in diagnostics and therapeutics, and have additional value as research reagents and compounds that provide chemical plausibility to some ideas about evolution of the biosphere. Oligonucleotide conformations are shockingly robust and potent.
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NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boulder, Colorado MCDB, USA.
D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
D009841:Oligonucleotides; D004247:DNA