Biotin Amidite is a phosphoramidite for the preparation of 5' biotin-labeled oligonucleotides.
Biotin-labeled oligonucleotides are used in a diverse array of capture and detection hybridization experiments, including PCR and sequencing. Biotin is a small molecule with phenomenally strong and specific binding affinity for the protein avidin. This allows for isolation of biotinylated nucleic acids from a complex mixture. Avidin, or streptavidin, is usually immobilized on a solid matrix, facilitating isolation and purification of the complex. The biotin/avidin complex can be disrupted under certain nondestructive conditions, releasing the biotinylated single- or double-stranded nucleic acids.
The chemical structure of Biotin Amidite is identical to that published by Dr. Richard T. Pon, of the University of Calgary Canada.
