ABSTRACT
Since in template chromatography interactions between the components should mimic the conditions of solution, careful consideration has to be given to the nature of the insoluble support, the ligand, and the method of immobilization. Ideally, the nucleic acids should be irreversibly immobilized and retain their native structure. In view of the very different problems that have to be solved using template chromatography, several more or less suitable strategies for the immobilization of nucleic acids and polynucleotides have been developed. Nucleic acids and polynucleotides can be immobilized to insoluble supports by irradiating with ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV irradiation is presumably a consequence of the production of intermolecular cross linkages via the nucleobases of the polynucleotides, and the supports may serve only to immobilize the cross-linked nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is possible that no covalent linkages are formed between support and ligand.
