Abstract: The syntheses of two phosphoramidite building blocks based on BNSF and BNSMB structures are disclosed. Furthermore, some common molecular intermediates have been designed and linked to the central biphenyl core of the two molecules, resulting in a versatile and cost-effective design. These compounds can be effectively introduced to DNA oligonucleotides via the well-established standard cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry on the nucleic acid synthesizer. Fragmentation of these BNSF- and BNSMB-functionalized DNA strands is achieved by both one-photon and two-photon photolysis of photoliable bonds of [2-(2-nitrophenyl)propoxy]carbonyl groups on BNSF and BNSMB molecules respectively, resulting in two short pieces of single-stranded DNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNA-based probe for detecting and imaging a target miRNA in living cells. TNA-based probe is composed of a fluorophore-labeled TNA reporter strand partially hybridizing to a quencher-labeled TNA recognition strand which is designed to be antisense to the target RNA transcript via pair pairing. Upon cellular entry without the need of harmful transfection treatment, the quencher-labeled TNA recognition strand binds to targeted transcript, and these target binding events displace the reporter strand from the quencher, resulting in a discrete “turning-on” of the fluorescence. The extent of fluorescence enhancement is quantifiably related to the target RNA expression level. Additionally, the TNA-based probe shows rapid detection response, excellent selectivity and specificity toward target miRNAs and is able to distinguish the target molecules with 1-2 base mismatches.

Abstract: The syntheses of two phosphoramidite building blocks based on BNSF and BNSMB structures are disclosed. Furthermore, some common molecular intermediates have been designed and linked to the central biphenyl core of the two molecules, resulting in a versatile and cost-effective design. These compounds can be effectively introduced to DNA oligonucleotides via the well-established standard cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry on the nucleic acid synthesizer. Fragmentation of these BNSF- and BNSMB-functionalized DNA strands is achieved by both one-photon and two-photon photolysis of photoliable bonds of [2-(2-nitrophenyl)propoxy]carbonyl groups on BNSF and BNSMB molecules respectively, resulting in two short pieces of single-stranded DNAs.