CMCBSC.

Magyar

Laboratory of Oligonucleic Synthesis

About us

Our laboratory specializes in the design and synthesis of chemically modified DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. We primarily support the research of biologist colleagues working within the institute by providing molecules that are difficult, slow, or highly expensive to obtain from commercial sources.

How can we help?

For biological experiments, chemical modifications are often needed; they provide stability, labeling options, or new functions to the molecules. We undertake the synthesis of the following types of molecules:

  • Stabilized oligonucleotides: Phosphorothioate linkages and 2'-modifications (e.g., 2'-O-methyl, 2'-fluoro) to increase resistance against nucleases.
  • Labeled molecules: Incorporation of fluorescent dyes, quenchers, biotin, and other reporter groups.
  • Functionalized oligonucleotides: Reactive groups (e.g., amino or thiol groups, click chemistry-compatible ends) for further conjugation.
  • Unnatural bases: Incorporation of unnatural bases and modified nucleosides for specific research questions.
  • Custom solutions: We are also open to experimental needs that go beyond standard catalogs. The success of our custom solutions is ensured by our close collaboration with the Nucleic Acid Laboratory of the Department of Medical Chemistry at the University of Szeged (SZTE).

How do we work?

We perform the synthesis using solid-phase phosphoramidite chemistry. Colleagues receive the finished molecule after the purification and quality control of the crude product. We believe collaborative thinking is important right from the planning phase: we help select the modification strategy that best suits the goal of the experiment while also considering practical aspects (stability, solubility, cost, and deadlines).

Why work with us?

  • We are located within the institute, so communication is fast and consultation is personal.
  • We are open to small-scale, custom syntheses.
  • We can weigh chemical and biological aspects together.
  • We can react flexibly to changes during the course of the research.

Contact

If you have a need for modified DNA or RNA in an experiment, or if you just want to discuss the possibilities, feel free to reach out to us! [ferenc.gyorgyi@brc.hu] [phone: 702; room number: 337]

Articles

Key publications

  • Kupihár Z et al. (2023) Improved Metal-Free Approach for the Synthesis of Protected Thiol Containing Thymidine Nucleoside Phosphoramidite and Its Application for the Synthesis of Ligatable Oligonucleotide Conjugates, PHARMACEUTICS 15 : 1 p. 248
  • Szeltner, Z. et al. (2023) Probing telomeric-like G4 structures with full or partial 2′-deoxy-5-hydroxyuridine substitutions, BIOCHIMIE 214 : Part A pp. 33-44. , 12 p.
  • Ferenc, G et al (2005) A convenient method for the synthesis of oligonucleotide-cationic peptide conjugates NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 24 : 5-7 pp. 1059-1061. , 3 p.
  • Kovacs, G et al. (2003) Synthesis and NIS analysis of thiazolium and pyridinium derivatives of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and peptides NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 22 : 5-8 pp. 1301-1303. , 3 p.
  • Kupihar, Z et al (2003) A Novel and Convenient Method for the Synthesis of Free 5′-Thiol Modified Oligonucleotides NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 22 : 5-8 pp. 1297-1299. , 3 p.
  • Kovacs, G et al (2002) Synthesis and analysis of peptide nucleic acid oligomers using Fmoc/acyl-protected monomers JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY-PERKIN TRANSACTIONS 1 2002 : 10 pp. 1266-1270. , 5 p.
  • Novák, T. et al. (2025) Using polarization sensitive SMLM to infer the interaction strength of dye-plasmonic nanosphere systems OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS 574 Paper: 131147 , 10 p.
  • Albert, P et al (2024) Conversion of the CG specific M.MpeI DNA methyltransferase into an enzyme predominantly methylating CCA and CCC sites NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH 52 pp. 1896-1908. , 13 p. (2024)
  • Nagy, B et al. (2023) CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis through Introducing a Nanoparticle Complex Made of a Cationic Polymer and Nucleic Acids into Maize Protoplasts INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES 24 : 22 Paper: 16137 , 12 p.
  • Bashir, F et al. (2022) Viable protoplast formation of the coral endosymbiont alga Symbiodinium spp. in a microfluidics platform LAB ON A CHIP 22 : 16 pp. 2986-2999. , 14 p.
  • Rádi, F et al. (2021) In planta test system for targeted cellular mutagenesis by injection of oligonucleotides to apical meristem of maize seedlings ACTA PHYSIOLOGIAE PLANTARUM 43 : 5 Paper: 79 , 9 p.
  • Tóth, E et al. (2020) Mapping Fluorescence Enhancement of Plasmonic Nanorod Coupled Dye Molecules NANOMATERIALS 10 : 6 Paper: 1048 , 17 p.
  • Bugris, V et al. (2019) Radiation-damage investigation of a DNA 16-mer JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 26 pp. 998-1009. , 12 p.
  • Szili, P et al. (2019) Rapid Evolution of Reduced Susceptibility against a Balanced Dual-Targeting Antibiotic through Stepping-Stone Mutations. ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY 63 : 9 Paper: e00207-19 , 15 p.
  • Nyerges, A et al. (2018) Directed evolution of multiple genomic loci allows the prediction of antibiotic resistance. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 115 : 25 pp. E5726-E5735. , 10 p.
  • Tiricz, H. et al. (2018) Relaxed chromatin induced by histone deacetylase inhibitors improves the oligonucleotide-directed gene editing in plant cells JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 131 : 1 pp. 179-189. , 11 p.

Team

Check our Team

Györgyi FERENC

Research Associate

laboratory technician