Work

Foldamers with Hybrid Biological and Synthetic Sequences as Selective DNA Fluorescent Probes

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: Foldable polymers with alternating single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) and planar fluorescent organic chromophores can self-organize into folded nanostructures and hence are hybrid foldamers with biological sequences and synthetic properties. The biological sequence provides highly specific molecular recognition properties, while the physical properties of synthetic chromophores offer sensitive fluorescence detection. In this paper, we describe that rational designed hybrid foldamers exhibit potential in the detection of polynucleotides. Under strictly controlled laboratory conditions, fluorescence measurements indicate that configuration change due to binding of polynucleotides with one or two mismatched bases can be readily distinguished. These results shed light on the design and construction of nanostructured foldamers with actuator and sensory properties, which may find important applications as biological probes.

Source: Biochemistry

DOI: 10.1021/bi050945z

Authors: Wei Wang, Wei Wan, Andrew Stachiw, Alexander D. Q. Li

Institution: Washington State University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Wellcome Trust, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: Preliminary studies on porphyrin-monoclonal antibody conjugates, G3258555162