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Convertible Base Modified Oligonucleotides

Convertible base modified oligonucleotides for site-specific functionalization, labeling, crosslinking, epigenetic studies, and custom nucleic acid probe development.

Post-Synthetic Labeling Crosslinking Chemistry Epigenetic Research Bioorthogonal Functionalization HPLC / LC-MS QC

Reactive Base Scaffolds for Post-Synthetic Oligo Engineering

Convertible base modified oligonucleotides incorporate nucleobases engineered to be transformed after synthesis or to provide a reactive leaving group at a defined position. These scaffold bases are used to install probes, form crosslinks, mimic DNA/RNA lesions, or introduce epigenetic marks at precise sites.

Instead of building every functionality directly during solid-phase synthesis, a convertible base provides a single addressable site for post-synthetic functionalization. This allows fluorophores, quenchers, biotin, click handles, affinity tags, crosslinking groups, or lesion-like analogs to be installed with greater flexibility.

Bio-Synthesis supports convertible base design, synthesis, conversion, purification and analytical confirmation for research-use oligonucleotide programs requiring defined site-specific functionality.

Bio-Synthesis manufactures convertible base modified DNA and RNA oligonucleotides incorporating reactive pyrimidine, purine, halogenated, sulfur-containing, and epigenetic nucleobase analogs with optional HPLC purification, LC-MS confirmation, and custom post-synthetic functionalization workflows.

Convertible Leaving Groups Halogenated Bases Epigenetic Marks Mutagenesis Tools QC: HPLC / LC-MS

Convertible Base

Reactive scaffold placed at a defined sequence position.

Chemical Conversion

Substitution, click, crosslinking or defined base modification.

Custom Functionality

Dye, biotin, linker, ligand, lesion or crosslinking handle.

Research Application

Probe engineering, interaction mapping, epigenetics or repair studies.

Convertible Base Selection Guide

Use this guide to select a convertible or reactive base based on the downstream purpose: labeling, affinity tagging, crosslinking, epigenetics, mutagenesis, repair modeling or structural probe development.

Choose by Research Goal and Conversion Strategy

The live site product list is preserved below, but this map helps users first decide which chemistry family fits the experiment.

Convertible base selection guide for post-synthetic functionalization and modified-base oligonucleotide design.

Research Goal Recommended Base / Chemistry Why It Fits Typical Use
Dye / Biotin Installation O4-Triazolyl-dU, 5-F-dC / TMP-5-F-dU Convertible pyrimidine scaffolds support post-synthetic substitution or labeling at a defined site. Hybridization probes, FRET constructs, pull-down reagents, probe optimization
Affinity Tags & Ligands O6-Phenyl-dI Reactive purine analog enabling downstream conversion and A-position functionalization. Reporter attachment, ligand installation, affinity probe development
G-Site Functionalization 2-F-dI 2-fluoro inosine scaffold can serve as a convertible surrogate for guanine-like positions. Site-specific functionalization and structural probe studies
RNA Epigenetics N6-Methyl rA (m6A) Defined epigenetic adenosine mark used to study RNA reader/writer biology and standards. Reader assays, RNA modification mapping, assay standardization
Crosslinking & Footprinting 5-Br-dU, 5-I-dU, 4-Thio-dT Halogenated and thio bases support photo/radical or UVA-activated crosslinking. Protein-DNA/RNA interaction mapping, footprinting, binding-site analysis
DNA Damage & Repair 8-Br-dG and lesion-like base analogs Purine analogs support defined lesion or repair pathway model systems. Repair pathway interrogation, mutagenesis studies, sequencing controls

Products & Ordering: Convertible Base Modified Oligos

This section keeps the live-site Products & Ordering content, reorganized as a cleaner table for product comparison and quote preparation.

Representative convertible base and reactive base-modified oligonucleotide products supported by Bio-Synthesis.

Product / Modification Description Function Application Code
Convertible 5-F-dC (TMP-5-F-dU) Pyrimidine with convertible handle derived from a 5-fluoro scaffold. Post-synthetic substitution / labeling Site-specific dye or biotin installation; probe optimization [5-F-dC]
Convertible dA (O6-Phenyl-deoxy Inosine) dI analog with O6-aryl functionality enabling downstream conversion. Reactive site installation Reporter or ligand attachment at A-position [O6-Phenyl-dI]
Convertible dG (2-Fluoro deoxy Inosine) 2-fluoro inosine scaffold used as a convertible surrogate for G. Nucleophilic substitution Post-synthetic label installation [2-FdI]
Convertible dU & dC (O4-Triazolyl dU) O4-triazolyl-dU enables displacement by nucleophiles. Leaving-group chemistry Attachment of amines, thiols or azides [O4-Tri-dU]
N6-Methyl rA (m6A) Defined epigenetic adenosine mark for RNA. Epigenetic mimic / binding studies Reader assays, mapping and standards [m6A]
5-Bromo-dU Halogenated dU for photo/radical activation and footprinting. Photo-induced crosslinking Protein-DNA mapping [5-Br-dU]
5-Iodo-dU Iodinated dU with high crosslink propensity under activation. Crosslinking handle Interface mapping and binding studies [5-I-dU]
4-Thio-dT Thio-modified thymidine; UVA-reactive at defined sites. Photo-crosslinking (UVA) RNA/DNA-protein interaction studies [4-Thio-dT]
8-Bromo-dG Purine analog used as lesion or conversion adjunct. Lesion mimic Repair pathway interrogation [8-Br-dG]

Functionalization Strategies

Convertible base projects are designed around the conversion mechanism, target partner, sequence position, buffer compatibility and downstream analytical requirements.

SUB

Convertible Leaving Groups

O4-triazolyl-dU and activated 5-position pyrimidines undergo substitution with amines, thiols or azides to install labels or linkers after synthesis.

XL

Halogen-Assisted Crosslinking

5-Br/5-I pyrimidines and 8-Br purines support photo/radical crosslinking and footprinting to probe nucleic acid-protein contacts.

EPI

Lesion & Epigenetic Mimics

Defined modifications such as m6A or lesion-like base analogs serve as standards for reader/writer assays, repair studies and sequencing controls.

QC

Conversion, Purification & QC

HPLC/UPLC is recommended for post-conversion products. LC-MS verifies mass shift and conversion; PAGE can separate conjugate sizes.

Applications for Convertible Base Modified Oligos

Convertible bases allow one defined site to become a custom functional point for labeling, capture, crosslinking, repair biology and assay engineering.

FL

Fluorescent Probe Development

Install fluorophores or signal modules at defined sites for hybridization, imaging and FRET probe systems.

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BIO

Affinity Capture Probes

Install biotin, ligands or affinity tags through conversion strategies for capture and enrichment workflows.

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CLK

Bioorthogonal Labeling

Azide, alkyne and click-compatible designs for orthogonal reporter or payload installation.

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XL

Crosslinking & Interaction Mapping

Halogenated and thio bases for protein-nucleic acid interaction mapping, photo-crosslinking and binding-site analysis.

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EPI

Epigenetic Research

Modified base designs such as m6A for reader/writer assays and RNA modification studies.

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DDR

DNA Damage & Repair

Lesion-like base analogs for repair pathway interrogation and mutagenesis studies.

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STR

Structural Biology

Convertible nucleobases enable site-specific functionalization, probing and structure-activity relationship studies for nucleic acid and protein-nucleic acid complexes.

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STD

Sequencing Standards & Controls

Modified oligonucleotide standards and controls for sequencing validation, assay development and analytical method qualification.

Application Use Case

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What is a convertible base?
A convertible base is a nucleobase analog with a reactive or transformable position that can be modified after oligo synthesis. It is useful for on-demand labeling, affinity tagging, crosslinking or creating defined modified-base standards.
Do convertible bases alter hybridization?
Effects are usually manageable but depend on placement, substituent size and sequence context. Bio-Synthesis can compensate through sequence length, composition or nearby LNA/2'-OMe placement when appropriate.
Can Bio-Synthesis perform the conversion step?
Yes. We can perform conversion, purify by HPLC/UPLC, confirm by LC-MS and provide a Certificate of Analysis depending on the chemistry and project requirements.
How do I choose between O4-triazolyl-dU and 5-Br-dU / 5-I-dU?
O4-triazolyl-dU supports nucleophilic substitution for post-synthetic labeling, while 5-Br-dU and 5-I-dU are favored for photo/radical crosslinking and footprinting. Select by intended mechanism and buffer constraints.
Is RNA supported?
Selected chemistries are available for RNA. Share your sequence, target modification and intended conversion route, and Bio-Synthesis will confirm feasibility.
Can you attach dyes or biotin after conversion?
Yes. Common partners include NHS esters, maleimides and azide/alkyne click pairs. PEG or hexa-EG spacers can help reduce quenching and steric effects.
What conversion yields should I expect?
Yields depend on sequence context, reagent and work-up. Crude-to-purified conversion recoveries can vary, so a short pilot conversion is recommended before scale-up.
Which convertible base is best for post-synthetic labeling?
O4-Triazolyl-dU, 5-F-dC, and TMP-5-F-dU are among the most commonly used convertible bases for post-synthetic labeling because they provide reactive sites that can be converted into fluorophores, affinity tags, bioorthogonal handles, and other functional groups after oligonucleotide synthesis.
What purification do you recommend after conversion?
HPLC or UPLC is recommended for clean separation of converted and unconverted species. Desalting alone may leave mixed populations for many converted products.

Information Helpful for Convertible Base Oligo Design

Sequence DNA/RNA sequence and target length
Base Position Modification site and flanking context
Conversion Goal Dye, biotin, click handle or crosslinker
Scale Pilot, analytical or larger build
Purification & QC HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS and CoA needs

Need help selecting a convertible base?

Share your sequence, convertible base position, intended function, conversion partner, scale, purification target and QC requirements. Bio-Synthesis can recommend an appropriate base, conversion chemistry, spacer strategy and analytical confirmation plan.

Related Product

Related oligo modification and functionalization pages.

Fast Quote Checklist

Include sequence, base, position, conversion goal and QC.

Sequence Base Position Partner QC

Scientific Background & Recommended Reading

References should be aligned to the exact chemistry used in the final design. General topic areas from the live page include convertible nucleosides and post-synthetic modification strategies, halogenated and thio bases for crosslinking/footprinting, and epigenetic base analogs such as m6A for assay standardization.

  1. Reviews on convertible nucleosides and post-synthetic oligonucleotide modification strategies.
  2. Applications of halogenated and thio bases for protein-nucleic acid crosslinking and footprinting.
  3. Use of epigenetic base analogs, including m6A, in reader/writer assays and assay standardization.

Note: Bio-Synthesis can align specific literature protocols to your sequence design, conversion chemistry and analytical plan upon request.

Why Choose Bio-Synthesis

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