Custom DNA and RNA thiol modifications for post-synthetic conjugation, gold binding, and disulfide-linked oligo constructs.
Thiol-modified oligos with 5′, 3′, and internal thiol handles for maleimide coupling, gold nanoparticle attachment, surface immobilization, redox-sensitive linkages, and broader oligonucleotide bioconjugation workflows.
Thiol-modified oligonucleotides are synthetic DNA or RNA molecules containing sulfhydryl (-SH) functional groups that enable highly useful conjugation chemistries for dyes, proteins, polymers, nanoparticles, surfaces, and other biomaterials. Thiol handles are especially important in maleimide coupling, disulfide exchange chemistry, and gold-binding applications.
Thiol modifiers can be introduced at the 5′ terminus, 3′ terminus, or internal positions using thiol phosphoramidites, thiol-linked nucleosides, or specialized internal modifiers. Because thiol groups are reactive and oxidation-sensitive, they are commonly installed in protected form and deprotected before downstream conjugation or surface attachment.
Thiol-modified oligos are widely used in gold nanoparticle functionalization, gold-coated biosensor surfaces, maleimide-linked oligo conjugates, cleavable disulfide systems, and targeted delivery research where redox-sensitive or surface-active linkages are required.
The list below shows common thiol-bearing oligo formats used for post-synthetic coupling, gold attachment, and disulfide-sensitive conjugation. Protected thiol forms are often preferred during synthesis and shipment.
Thiol-modified oligos are widely used to functionalize gold nanoparticles through strong sulfur–gold interactions for diagnostics, biosensing, nanotechnology, and programmable surface assembly.
Free thiol handles react efficiently with maleimide-functionalized dyes, peptides, proteins, and polymers to form stable thioether-linked oligo conjugates.
Thiol-bearing oligos are commonly used on gold-coated electrodes, SPR chips, and biosensor surfaces for capture, hybridization, and analytical detection platforms.
Disulfide-based thiol formats can support cleavable or redox-responsive oligo conjugates for delivery and controlled-release concepts.
Thiol handles can be used to attach oligos to dyes, ligands, proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules where controlled sulfhydryl coupling chemistry is preferred.
Beyond gold nanoparticles, thiol-modified oligos can support attachment to thiol-reactive materials and nanostructured surfaces for advanced assay development.
Thiol-modified oligonucleotides are commonly used to generate stable gold nanoparticle conjugates for biosensing, nanotechnology, and molecular diagnostics.
Thiol–maleimide coupling enables site-specific conjugation of oligonucleotides to peptides, proteins, polymers, and nanoparticles.
Azide- and alkyne-modified oligonucleotides support CuAAC and SPAAC click chemistry for controlled post-synthetic conjugation.
Protected thiol formats are often preferred during synthesis, purification, and storage because they reduce premature oxidation and undesired side reactions. Deprotection is typically performed prior to conjugation.
Short thiol linkers can be suitable for compact constructs, while longer spacers such as C6, C12, or TEG-based linkers improve accessibility when conjugating to surfaces, nanoparticles, proteins, or polymers.
Use a standard terminal thiol when direct maleimide coupling or gold attachment is needed, a longer linker when steric accessibility matters, and an internal thiol nucleoside when site-specific conjugation within the sequence is important. Disulfide-based formats are especially useful when a cleavable or redox-sensitive linkage is desired.
Typical purification options include HPLC and PAGE depending on oligo length, thiol format, and downstream conjugation requirements. Reducing conditions may be considered during handling of deprotected thiols.
Common QC methods include MALDI-TOF or LC-MS, analytical HPLC, UV quantification, and fit-for-purpose confirmation of the thiol-bearing oligo before or after deprotection.
They are widely used for maleimide coupling, gold nanoparticle attachment, biosensor surfaces, and disulfide-linked oligo conjugation workflows.
Yes. Internal thiol placement is possible using thiol-bearing nucleosides or internal thiol linker strategies depending on the chemistry.
Protection helps prevent oxidation and undesired side reactions during synthesis, purification, storage, and shipment.
Maleimides, activated disulfides, gold surfaces, gold nanoparticles, and related thiol-reactive systems are commonly used.
For the fastest quote, share your oligonucleotide sequence, DNA or RNA type, desired thiol modifier, position, protected or deprotected preference, synthesis scale, and purification requirements.
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