DNA-Conjugated Organic Chromophores in DNA Stacking Interactions

Since the discovery of the intercalation of acridine derivatives into DNA (1961), chemists have synthesized many intercalators tethered to DNA. Advances in the chemical synthesis of modified nucleosides along with progress in oligonucleotide synthesis have made it possible to introduce organic chromophores in any desired position of the sequence. As an outcome of such fascinating research, we gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of nucleic acid structures, which is pivotal for future progress within nucleic acid technology and for development of novel approaches in drug design. The current review presents those efforts in the design of intercalators/organic chromophores as oligonucleotide conjugates that form a foundation for the generation of novel nucleic acid architectures