A recent paper published in the journal Molecules presents a robust and efficient method for screening a large biomimetic ligand library for DNA binding and identifying potential candidates for plasmid DNA purification from Escherichia coli crude lysates.

Highlights

• A 158-member triazine-based combinatorial library of synthetic affinity ligands was screened to find candidates capable of binding nucleic acids for potential use in plasmid DNA purification.

• Results showed that a lysine mimic, 1,5-diaminopentane, effectively increased DNA-binding affinity when paired with various amino acid analogs.

• Twenty-two ligands were shortlisted and tested using microscale affinity chromatography. Two lead candidates—dipeptide mimics of Ala-Lys/Gly-Lys and Lys-Tyr—demonstrated selective binding to double-stranded GC and AT oligonucleotides and successfully purified plasmid DNA from E. coli lysates without RNA contamination.

These findings highlight the potential of triazine-scaffolded biomimetic ligands in nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) purification workflows. See more.