SEQUENCE-INDEPENDENT AND LINEAR VARIATION OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDE DNA-BINDING STABILITIES

The ability to equalize the DNA binding stability of comprehensive set s of oligonucleotides is imperative for the application of sequencing by hybridization technology. By substitution of ribonucleotides into a n oligonucleotide composed of deoxyribonucleotides, and vice versa, th e duplex stability of the oligonucleotide is changed linearly with the number of serial alternations of sugar configurations within the mole cule. Since this effect occurs independently of the actual base sequen ce, any set of oligonucleotides could be adjusted to a defined level o f binding stability.