Scientists reveal the hidden logic behind designing molecular detection tools
Researchers have published a rare behind-the-scenes guide to developing oligonucleotide-based methods for visualizing protein interactions in cells. The work, drawn from 20 years of innovation, offers a blueprint for biotech developers and diagnostics companies seeking to create next-generation detection platforms without reinventing the wheel.
Originaltitel: The method developer's guide to oligonucleotide design
<p>Introduction</p><p>Development of new methods is essential to make great leaps in science, opening up new avenues for research, but the process behind method development is seldom described.</p><p>Areas covered</p><p>Over the last twenty years we have been developing several new methods, such as in situ PLA, proxHCR, and MolBoolean, using oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies to visualize protein-protein interactions. Herein, we describe the rationale behind the oligonucleotide systems of these methods. The main objective of this paper is to provide researchers with a description on how we thought when we designed those methods. We also describe in detail how the methods work and how one should interpret results.</p><p>Expert opinion</p><p>Understanding how the methods work is important in selecting an appropriate method for your experiments. We also hope that this paper may be an inspiration for young researchers to enter the field of method development. Seeing a problem is a motivation to develop a solution.</p>