Oligonucleotides

During the past 30 years, several strategies have been used to synthesize DNA. Moreover, it was not possible to utilize automated DNA synthesis until the phosphate triester method using phosphoramidite reagents was introduced (1 ,2 ). Since then, chemically synthesized oligonucleotides have been powerful tools in the molecular biologist’s repertoire. The availability of high-quality oligonucleotides of defined sequence has had a significant impact on the techniques and applicability of molecular biological methods even in routine diagnosis of infectious diseases. Currently, most institutions have access to automated DNA synthesis facilities. Oligonucleotides with or without modifications are also commercially available from several companies with a reasonable price worldwide. Oligonucleotides can be used as probes in different hybridization methods or as primers, linkers, adaptors, gene synthons, and so on.