A Microarray-Based Method to Perform Nucleic Acid Selections

This method describes a microarray-based platform to perform nucleic acid selections. Chemical ligands to which a nucleic acid binder is desired are immobilized onto an agarose microarray surface; the array is then incubated with an RNA library. Bound RNA library members are harvested directly from the array surface via gel excision at the position on the array where a ligand was immobilized. The RNA is then amplified via RT-PCR, cloned, and sequenced. This method has the following advantages over traditional resin-based Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX): (1) multiple selections can be completed in parallel on a single microarray surface; (2) kinetic biases in the selections are mitigated since all RNA binders are harvested from an array via gel excision; (3) the amount of chemical ligand needed to perform a selection is minimized; (4) selections do not require expensive resins or equipment; and (5) the matrix used for selections is inexpensive and easy to prepare. Although this protocol was demonstrated for RNA selections, it should be applicable for any nucleic acid selection.