Bridged Nucleic Acid (BNA) Oligonucleotide

BNA (Bridged Nucleic Acids) are novel nucleic acid analogs designed on the basis of conformational behavior of natural nucleic acids. These nucleic acid analogs can be easily incorporated into natural oligonucleotide strands and allow the flexibility to design  BNA/DNA, BNA/RNA hybrid oligo to accommodate the needs for extremely high and sequence-specific hybridization ability with natural nucleic acids, along with strong nuclease-resistant properties. To date, about 10 types of BNA have been developed.  Individual types of BNA differ from each other in terms of binding affinity (hybridizing capability), nuclease resistance, etc.

Natural nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have a higher degree of freedom in the chemical structure (degree of freedom in conformation).  This feature is thermodynamically unfavorable for DNA-DNA, RNA-RNA double strand formation (hybridization).  Improving the binding affinity (hybridizing capability) is an open issue related to the creation of synthetic nucleic acids.

BNA was designed on the basis of a concept differing from conventional synthetic nucleic acids.  Its molecule has a bridging structure by which the “degree of morphological freedom” of natural nucleic acids is restricted (Fig. 1, structure marked red) to increase the binding affinity to target DNA or RNA and to acquire nuclease stability.



Bio-Synthesis offers synthesis and modification of BNA base oligos using various scales from research to  in vivo experiment production.

BNA-oligo(s) can be use in various technologies such as:

• Antisense technology
• RNA interference
• Decoy
• Ribozyme
• Antigene
• Homologous Recombination
• DNA Chip
• Molecular Beacon and more...