Solid Phase Synthesis of Polypeptides and Oligonucleotides Using a Solid Phase Sequencer

Abstract

Recent experiments with a Sequemat solid-phase sequencer indicate the feasibility of adapting this instrument to perform the solid phase synthesis of polypeptides and oligonucleotides. Only programming and minor plumbing changes are necessary to reversibly convert the Sequemat sequencer into a solid phase synthesizer. Microbore columns were used with polystyrene, acrylamide and silica resins diluted with unfunctionalized glass beads to provide back pressures of 150–190 psig. The usual scale of the reactions provided 0.001 to 0.1 mmole of polypeptide or oligonucleotide. The cycle time was 1–1.5 hours per synthetic step with each step providing only 25–50 ml total waste volume.