Printing DNA

This article illustrated by this cover shows a simpler way to make DNA and RNA strands. Instead of needing a different custom solid support for each strand, the team found they could take a common commercial support and turn it into a reactive version that can attach many kinds of amines.

They first worked out the chemistry needed to make the support break apart at the right time and release the finished strand. They also tested the method with several nucleoside and non-nucleoside amines, including building blocks for DNA, RNA, and other small chemical groups, and found the process worked with standard oligonucleotide synthesis steps.

This results in a more flexible and faster way to prepare amino-modified DNA and RNA without relying on rare or specially made supports. That should make it easier to build tagged nucleic acids for biology, chemistry, and related lab work, while keeping the process closer to normal automated synthesis methods.