Oligos, short for oligonucleotides, are custom-designed nucleic acid molecules typically composed of 10 to 100 nucleotides. Lyophilized oligos are short sequences of synthetic DNA or RNA molecules that have undergone the process of lyophilization, also known as freeze-drying. Lyophilization removes water from the oligo solution under vacuum conditions, resulting in a stable, dry powder form that can be easily stored and reconstituted for use in various molecular biology applications.
In biotech research, lyophilized oligos serve as tools for a wide range of applications, including PCR (polymerase chain reaction), DNA sequencing, gene cloning, and gene synthesis. These synthetic oligonucleotides are custom-designed to match specific DNA or RNA sequences of interest, allowing researchers to manipulate and analyze nucleic acids with precision and specificity. Lyophilized oligos are often used as primers, probes, or templates in molecular biology experiments, enabling the amplification, detection, and manipulation of target DNA or RNA sequences.
The lyophilization of oligos enhances their stability and facilitates long-term storage without degradation, ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of experimental results. Additionally, lyophilized oligos are convenient to handle and ship, reducing the risk of degradation during transportation and storage. By utilizing lyophilized oligos, biotechnologists can perform a wide range of molecular biology techniques with confidence, advancing our understanding of genetics, genomics, and gene expression.