Introduction to the synthesis and purification of oligonucleotides.

Modern nucleic acid synthesizers utilize phosphite triester chemistries that employ stable phosphoramidite monomers to build a growing polymer. These robust reactions allow easy generation of specific oligodeoxyribo- and oligoribonucleotides with a variety of labels, modified linkages, and nonstandard bases. Strategies are given for the maximization of synthetic yield, the generation of sequences containing site-specific modifications, and the isolation of synthetic oligonucleotides. Protocols describe monitoring the progress of synthesis via the trityl assay and methods for deprotection.