Oligonucleotides thin-layer electrophoresis

It has recently been shown that complex mixtures of oligonucleotides also can be separated by thin-layer electrophoresis. One may anticipate still further development of this method. 

A variety of powerful methods is available for fractionating short oligonucleotides. Work on nucleotide sequence analysis of small RNA molecules (n=80 or 120) and more recently viral RNA molecules (n= 3000) and even ribosomal precursor RNAs (up to 45 s) (Holley et al. 1965a Brownlee 1972 Maden et al. 1972) has stimulated the development of these procedures. They can also be used for synthetic oligonucleotides (e.g. Hachman and Khorana, 1969). The methods depend largely on chromatography and electrophoresis on filter papers, diethylaminoethyl(DEAE) paper, cellulose acetate, thin layers of cellulose or polyethyleneimine (PEI)-cellulose, or columns. 

DeLong, R. K. (1996). Thin-layer chromatography of radiolabeled oligonucleotide analogs a rapid and sensitive purity assay. Nucleosides Nucleotides 15 1433-1437. Diels, L., and de Wachter, R. (1980). An RNA sequencing method based on a two-dimensional combination of gel electrophoresis and thin layer chromatography. Arch. Int. Physiol. Biochim. 88 B26-B27. 

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