Optical melting measurements of nucleic acid thermodynamics

Susan J Schroeder; Douglas H Turner

doi:10.1016/S0076-6879(09)68017-4

Optical melting measurements of nucleic acid thermodynamics

Methods Enzymol. 2009:468:371-87. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(09)68017-4. Epub 2009 Nov 17.

Authors

Susan J Schroeder¹, Douglas H Turner

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

Abstract

Optical melting experiments provide measurements of thermodynamic parameters for nucleic acids. These thermodynamic parameters are widely used in RNA structure prediction programs and DNA primer design software. This review briefly summarizes the theory and underlying assumptions of the method and provides practical details for instrument calibration, experimental design, and data interpretation.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Nucleic Acid Conformation
RNA / chemistry*
Software
Thermodynamics

Substances

RNA

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding