Introduction

Typically, nucleotide modification is achieved by halogenation at the base of a nucleoside or nucleotide to change its chemical structure and properties. In this step, halogen atoms, such as bromine or iodine, are introduced onto the bases of nucleosides or nucleotides to form halogenated groups. Such modifications change the charge distribution, chemical properties, and spatial distribution of the bases. A common method is to use a specific reagent, such as iodic acid or trichloroacetic acid, to react with the base to form a halogenated compound. Base-based halogenation modification has a wide range of applications in DNA sequencing, DNA methylation analysis, and DNA modification studies. Modifying the properties of these molecules can help scientists better understand the functional mechanisms of these molecules in biological processes such as gene expression and protein synthesis. In addition, it can be used to explore and study the role of disease-related genes and to develop novel drugs.

Key Technologies

Our expertise in base-based halogenation is built upon a foundation of cutting-edge synthetic chemistry and enzymatic biocatalysis. We employ a dual-pronged technological approach to achieve high-purity, site-specific halogenation.

• Chemical Synthesis

The cornerstone of our service involves highly controlled chemical reactions, such as the use of N-halosuccinimides, to introduce halogens onto the base moiety of nucleoside and nucleotide precursors. This method offers unparalleled versatility and precision, allowing for the halogenation of various purine and pyrimidine bases with a high degree of regioselectivity. The process is meticulously optimized to ensure efficient halogen incorporation while preserving the integrity of the nucleoside structure.

• Enzymatic Biocatalysis

In addition to chemical methods, we harness the power of engineered enzymes for late-stage modifications. This biocatalytic approach allows for the highly specific and stereoselective halogenation of complex substrates, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional chemical routes. Our proprietary enzymatic systems are tailored to install halogen atoms at unactivated sites, providing a powerful tool for rapid diversification of compound libraries and overcoming synthetic challenges.

Halogen-Engineered Bases: Stability by Design.

CD BioGlyco has established a Glyco™ Synthesis Platform to provide Custom Sugar-nucleotides Synthesis services to our clients. We provide not only an Oligonucleotide Modification Service but also Nucleoside & Nucleotide Modification Service. We have advanced synthesis instruments and experienced technicians to ensure the quality of base-based halogenation modification. The details of our experiments are as follows:

• The first step is the preparation of nucleosides or nucleotides containing bases. To protect specific functional groups, a protecting group is introduced at the base of the nucleotide before halogenation modification to prevent it from being unnecessarily interfered with in subsequent reactions.
• Subsequently, we perform reactions of halogen compounds with starting materials in appropriate solvents and at lower temperatures to introduce halogens to specific sites in the nucleotide. Our commonly used halogen compounds include bromoacetyl and sulfonyl bromide. Then we control the stereoselectivity of halogen substitution according to your specific requirements. This is usually achieved by introducing chiral ligands or selective catalysts.
• Finally, the protecting groups were removed and the products were purified and characterized.

Workflow

• Preparation of Starting Materials

Nucleosides or nucleotides containing the target bases are prepared for modification.

• Protection of Functional Groups

Protecting groups are introduced at specific base sites to prevent unwanted side reactions during halogenation.

• Halogenation Reaction

Halogen compounds (e.g., bromoacetyl, sulfonyl bromide) react with the protected nucleosides/nucleotides in appropriate solvents at controlled (lower) temperatures to introduce halogen atoms (e.g., Br, I) onto specific sites of the base.

• Stereoselectivity Control

The stereoselectivity of the halogen substitution is controlled, often using chiral ligands or selective catalysts, to achieve the desired configuration as specified by the client.

• Deprotection

The protecting groups added in step 2 are removed from the halogenated product.

• Purification & Characterization

The final halogenated nucleoside/nucleotide product is purified and characterized to confirm its identity, purity, and structure.

Publication Data

Applications

• Nucleosides & nucleotide modifications are widely used in modern genomics and transcriptomics research, providing essential tools for understanding biological processes and studying diseases.
• Nucleotide modification technology provides a new way for the design and development of antiviral drugs and is a powerful tool for research on viral infections.
• Modified nucleotides can be used as probes for specific sequences for gene detection and mutation analysis. 

Advantages of Us

• We have a stock of high-quality raw materials that are strictly screened and verified to meet international standards and quality requirements.
• We work closely with our clients to understand their specific requirements and provide a one-to-one customized service.
• Our technicians have a wide range of knowledge and expertise, with extensive hands-on experience in a variety of fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

Associated Services

Our base-based halogenation modification enables precise halogen introductions (F, Cl, Br, I) to optimize nucleic acid stability, binding specificity, and metabolic resilience for applications like aptamer engineering or antisense therapeutics. To extend this atomic-level precision into functional glycan interaction mapping, we offer Glycomics Profiling with Microarray—a multiplexed platform for high-throughput interrogation of glycan-mediated interactions across biological systems. This technology decodes glycan-binding specificities through:

• Phyto-glycan Microarray Screening Service
• Microbe-focused Glycan Array Screening Service
• Mammalian Glycomics Microarray Scanning Service
• Microarray-based Glycoproteomics Service
• Lectin Binding Protein Microarray Services

CD BioGlyco focuses on providing high-quality base-based halogenation modification services for nucleosides and nucleotides. Through precise synthetic processes and advanced technology, we selectively achieve base halogenation modification and provide custom solutions for our clients. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details.