Multifunctional DNA conjugates for the in vitro selection of new catalysts

DNA–substrate conjugates are required for the direct in vitro selection of novel DNA catalysts for reactions between two small reactants. Here we describe the introduction of all necessary features into ssDNA by a novel, multifunctional primer containing a flexible PEG spacer, an o-nitrobenzyl moiety allowing for selective photocleavage, and anthracene as a reactant, a fluorescence label and/or an immobilization tag. These components were checked individually and by a mock selection.