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Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Author Spotlight: Characterizing Novel Enzymes from Extremophiles and Common Pathogens to Understand DNA Repair and Replication
Published on: July 5, 2024
Biotechnology applications of proteins functionalized with DNA oligonucleotides
Ipek Simay Gokulu1, Scott Banta1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
Abstract:
The functionalization of proteins with DNA through the formation of covalent bonds enables a wide range of biotechnology advancements. For example, single-molecule analytical methods rely on bioconjugated DNA as elastic biolinkers for protein immobilization. Labeling proteins with DNA enables facile protein identification, as well as spatial and temporal organization and control of protein within DNA-protein networks. Bioconjugation reactions can target native, engineered, and non-canonical amino acids (NCAAs) within proteins. In addition, further protein engineering via the incorporation of peptide tags and self-labeling proteins can also be used for conjugation reactions. The selection of techniques will depend on application requirements such as yield, selectivity, conjugation position, potential for steric hindrance, cost, commercial availability, and potential impact on protein function.
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