Abstract: This invention relates to novel oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates preferably having a free 3' hydroxl moiety, and wherein the polyamide is coupled to the oglionucleotide through its carboxyl terminus. A nucleotide polymer conjugate of the formula (I): Nu--NUC--C.dbd.C--X.sup.1 --NH--X.sup.2 --X.sup.3 where X.sup.1 is an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylene group, in which one or more carbons may optionally be replaced by --NH--, --O-- or --S--; X.sup.2 is a bond, or an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylene group, in which one or more carbons may optionally be replaced by --NH--, --O-- or --S--; the optional substituents in X.sup.1 or X.sup.2 are selected from a variety of groups; X.sup.3 is an amino acid or a polyamide linked via its carboxy terminus; NUC is a nucleoside group of any one of formulas (a), (b), (c), (d) where.fwdarw.indicates the bond to the --C--C-- group in formula (I), and X.sup.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the hybridization of a target polynucleotide with a conjugate. The conjugate comprises an oligonucleotide covalently bound to a linker that is covalently bound to an amino acid or a polyamide. The oligonucleotide portion of the conjugate comprises an anti-sense sequence which is complementary to and hybridizes with the target polynucleotide. The method is useful for detecting the presence of viral or bacterial target polynucleotides.

Abstract: Conjugates of the type Z--X--L are described wherein Z is a solid phase matrix, X is a single amino acid or a polyamide of two or more amino acid residues, and L is a linker that is capable of linking between the amino terminus of X and a 3'-phosphate of a nucleotide. Conjugates may also be synthesized by assembling a polyamide on a solid support matrix, adding a suitable linker molecule, followed by synthesis of an oligonucleotide thereon. Methods for detecting specific polynucleotides with oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates are also described.

Abstract: A nucleoside derivative of formula (1), characterized in that: Y is H or OH or a protected hydroxy group; X is H, a phosphonate group or a phosphoramidite group of formula (II), where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, and are selected from alkyl and substituted alkyl, which may be branched or unbranched; and Q is a phosphate protecting group; Z is H, a phosphate or triphosphate group or hydroxy protecting group; X' is a C.sub.1-15 alkyl group which may be branched or unbranched; R is an amino protecting group or a fluorophore, or other non-radioactive detectable marker; or the group Y'NHA, where Y' is an alkyl (C.sub.1-40) carbonyl group which may be branched or unbranched, and A is an amino protecting group or a fluorophore or other non-radioactive detectable marker. Methods for the synthesis and sequencing of polynucleotides utilizing compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: Oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates of the formula X--L--Y, where X is a polyamide, Y is an oligonucleotide, and L is a linker which forms a covalent bond with the amino-terminus of the polyamide X and the 3' phosphate group of the oligonucleotide Y. Conjugates may be synthesized by assembling a polyamide on a solid support matrix, adding a suitable linker molecule, followed by synthesis of the oligonucleotide. Methods for detecting specific polynucleotides with oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates are also described.