| abstract |
New aptamers comprise at least one binding region capable of binding specifically to a target and at least one linking group wherein P(O)O or P(O)S is replaced by P(O)SR, wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-20 alkyl optionally containing an ether (-O-) linkage, aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryalkyl or (I) in which R1, R2, and R3 each is hydrogen or C1-9 alkyl, and Y is a bond, O, S or NH. The method for obtaining the aptamers includes a step of treating recovered aptamers with base to convert the hydrocarbyl thioate linkages to phosphodiester linkages thereby forming a dehydrocarbylated aptamer prior to amplification. |