EP0672188B1 — Method for selecting nucleic acids on the basis of structure

USPTO Abstract

A method of selecting nucleic acids on the basis of physical structure is disclosed. A modification of the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX) is used in conjunction with methods of differentiating between nucleic acid molecules on the basis of physical structure, such as chromatography, gel electrophoresis, solubility, and solvent partitioning. The disclosed method may be used in selecting single stranded DNA or RNA, or double stranded DNA or RNA. An example of the method selected nucleic acids of bent DNA. This method represents a new and powerful approach to select nucleic acid molecules with the physical structure required for specific biological activity, for example, in the regulation of gene expression.