SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC BINDING POLYMERS FOR DUPLEX NUCLEIC ACIDS

摘要

The present invention describes a polymer composition effective to bind in a sequence-specific manner to a target sequence of a duplex polynucleotide at least two different-oriented Watson/Crick base-pairs at selected positions in the target sequence. The composition includes an uncharged backbone with 5- or 6-membered cyclic backbone structures and selected bases attached to the backbone structures effective to hydrogen bond specifically with different oriented base-pairs in the target sequence. Also disclosed are subunits useful for the construction of the polymer composition. The present invention also includes methods for (i) coupling a first free or polymer-terminal subunit, and (ii) isolating, from a liquid sample, a target duplex nucleic acid fragment having a selected sequence of base-pairs.