TriLink BioTechnologies, Inc. Awards Brock University ResearchReward

These TriLink products are key in Dr. Yan's research on the regulation of nucleic acid hybridization and binding by azobenzene analogues.

"Azobenzene and analogues undergo light-driven geometrical changes and have therefore found applications in systems where such geometrical changes can be taken advantage of. The ResearchRewards from Trilink will allow us to further explore azobenzene derivatives in the spatiotemporal regulations of events involving nucleic acids," stated Dr. Yan, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Brock University.

"We are honored to contribute to Dr. Yan's research and enable the continued development of a promising technology for the oligonucleotide community. Dr. Yan's new twist on azobenzene chemistry could have a positive impact on an array of important applications including aptamer development," commented TriLink CEO, Dr. Richard Hogrefe.

Since its inception in 2002, TriLink's ResearchRewards Program has supported over 30 projects. Areas of research include nucleotide selectivity of error prone RNA viral polymerases, PCR primer design for undergraduate teaching and research, CleanAmp™ Primers for detection of mRNA expression and DNA repair studies of cross-linked DNA.

David Gorin, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Smith College received a ResearchReward in 2011 to study the use of modified DNA molecules for the selective perturbation of one target compound in a complex mixture, with the goal of using these reagents to study signaling in living systems. "With material supplied by the ResearchRewards program, we have successfully synthesized several modified oligonucleotides, and are currently testing their ability to mediate our desired reactions. Thanks in part to this preliminary work, the Research Corporation recently awarded our lab a Cottrell College Science Award to further support this research," explained Dr. Gorin.