Target-induced selection of ligands from a dynamic combinatorial library of mono- and bi-conjugated oligonucleotides

A dynamic library of 15 mono- and bi-conjugated oligonucleotides was generated from a pool of three aldehydes and an oligonucleotide bearing two reactive amino groups. Addition of complementary target to the equilibrating mixture of imines resulted in selective amplification of one conjugate. UV-melting experiments confirmed that it was the best ligand among those that were tested. This study emphasizes that dynamic combinatorial chemistry can be used to simultaneously identify the type and the location of appended residues for stabilizing oligonucleotide complexes.