Patterned Staining by Fluorescein-Labeled Oligonucleotides Obtained by in Vitro Selection

Abstract
We describe a new means of surface staining using a fluorescent oligonucleotide. A folic acid-specific, fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide was selected from a group of randomly sequenced oligonucleotides by repeated elution through a folic acid-immobilized column and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. We then examined the oligonucleotide scattered on a polyester film with folic acid immobilized in a defined pattern, by means of laser fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the selected oligonucleotide fluoresced exactly following the pattern of immobilized folic acid.