Kilobaser

23/05/2023

EPISODE 3: How to improve the stability of RNA oligos?

In order to use RNA oligos as therapeutics, the first challenge was to improve their stability against nucleases.
Like any enzyme, nucleases are very substrate specific. The correct conformation of the enzyme and substrate initiates the reaction, in the case of nucleases, the cleavage of the RNA oligo. Therefore, any modification of the RNA oligo that results in a conformational change will affect the cutting efficiency.
To introduce such conformational changes into the RNA oligo, the nucleotides that are the building blocks of the oligonucleotide are modified. There are three different positions that we can modify: the phosphate backbone, the sugar ring, and the base itself.
In the case of the phosphate backbone, there is typically an exchange of one of the oxygens with thiol to form phosphorothioate, or with a nitrogen to form phosphorodiamidate as part of the morpholine oligos.
In the sugar ring, changes are typically introduced at the second carbon of the ring: for example, adding a methyl group, a fluoro group, or a methoxyethyl group. Bridged sugar rings are also possible, the best known example being locked nucleic acids.
The bases can also be modified, but typically only cytosine and uracil are methylated.
The use of these modifications makes the RNA oligos resistant to nucleases, as they all affect the conformation of the oligo strand. However, this conformational change also affects the interaction with other enzymes as well as the mRNA and thus the efficiency of gene silencing.
This presents us with a new challenge. The new goal is to make RNA oligos not only stable against nucleases for a longer lifetime, but also functional for efficient cutting of mRNA. We need to find the right mixture of modified and unmodified nucleotides or the right combination of modifications.
Fortunately, we have mastered a method that makes it easy to assemble as many different nucleotides as we want: Phosphoramidite chemistry.
Stay tuned to learn more about how to synthesize modified oligonucleotides or visit our website www.kilobaser.com

09/05/2023

Episode 2:

Oligonucleotides are our best tool for interacting with DNA

Whatever we do with DNA-whether we want to cut, amplify, or modify it-we use ENZYMES. Enzymes are able to interact with the DNA without causing any damage to it. But it is the combination of enzyme and oligonucleotide that makes things happen. Although the enzyme does the actual work, such as amplification by the DNA polymerase, an oligonucleotide, such as the primer, is needed to signal the enzyme which part of the template to amplify.

If we want to prevent the gene from being translated into a protein, we use small interfering RNA, called siRNA. Small interfering RNA binds to the messenger RNA and initiates the binding of an Argonaute protein. Together they form the RNA-induced silencing complex, which degrades the mRNA. In addition to siRNA, there are also antisense oligos (A*O) that cause ribonuclease H to degrade the mRNA.

A*Os can also be used to modify a protein. When they bind to mRNA, they can alter RNA splicing, resulting in the synthesis of a modified protein. This effect can be used to treat diseases that lack a functional protein.

In summary, all of these applications of oligonucleotides to mRNA can be used to treat disease. However, the low stability of these oligonucleotides limits their use.

Stay tuned to learn more about how to improve the stability of oligonucleotides or visit our modified RNA website.

25/04/2023

Happy DNA Day!

Starting on International DNA Day, April 25, 2023, we will be publishing a series of blog posts exploring the latest developments and breakthroughs in oligo therapeutics.

So stay tuned and join us on this journey into the future of disease treatment.

Chapter 1: Oligo Evolution: Exploring the Potential of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics
Episode 1: DNA Day: From Understanding DNA to Treating Disease

Many diseases are caused by a protein that is not working properly, and we take drugs to try to compensate. Thanks to the discovery of DNA and the emerging understanding of its function, we now know that the function of proteins is affected by their genetic coding, but also by the expression and splicing of their genes. This is where oligo therapeutics come in.

Oligo therapeutics is a rapidly developing field that holds great promise for the future of disease treatment. By using short nucleic acid molecules, oligo therapeutics target specific disease-causing genes with unprecedented precision, potentially leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Given the ongoing research and development in this field, it's likely that we'll see more oligo therapies approved in the coming years, leading to improved treatment options for patients worldwide. It's an exciting time to follow the progress of oligo-therapies and their potential to revolutionize the field of medicine.

07/04/2023

Happy Eastern from Kilobaser, where we're hatching up some egg-citing DNA synthesis! Don't be a strand-er this holiday, grab a helix and join in on the fun! 🐰🧬🥚

# because it is very trendy right now and of course we are in the front, this text, as well as the illustration was written by an AI.

30/03/2023

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a young and dynamic team? Look no further than Kilobaser! Come be a part of our journey and make a real impact. Apply today and join the Kilobaser family!

https://kilobaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/KilobaserGmbH_Stellenausschreibung_Teilzeit_Laborassistenz.pdf

21/03/2023

Last week we were officially awarded the BGF seal of approval.
This seal stands for sustainability and responsibility as lived values.
The BGF seal is awarded according to standardized, scientifically recognized evaluation criteria. The BGF network stands and guarantees for this high quality standard.

08/03/2023

Happy International Women's Day,

The importance of International Women's Day cannot be overstated. Despite progress over the years, women still face significant challenges in terms of discrimination, gender-based violence and limited access to education, health care and economic opportunities. For example, women globally earn on average 23% less than men, and women hold only 24% of parliamentary seats worldwide.

International Women's Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality. It is a reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to ensure women's full participation in all aspects of society.

At our company, Kilobaser, the majority of women hold management positions for the simple reason that they were the best candidates for the job and outperformed the other applicants. Our company values meritocracy and diversity, and we believe that promoting the most qualified individuals, regardless of gender or background, is critical to our success.

Coincidentally, the color associated with International Women's Day is purple, which symbolizes justice and dignity.

In the photo you can see Sabine, our Lead Scientist, Lisa, our Head of Design and Lisa-Marie, our Head of Sales (from left to right).

21/02/2023

Today it's that time again: We celebrate carnival! And you may not have recognized it right away, but underneath this enormously creative disguise is actually our Kilobaser. And here's the highlight: Everyone who books a demo today will be greeted by one of our Kilobaser employees in disguise: So let's go to https://kilobaser.com/demo/

14/02/2023

Finally we got supplies again. Doesn't that look just beautiful?

07/02/2023

The week hasn't even really started yet, but you already feel really fit and you want to prove it? Then be brave and take part in the hardest quiz ever. And don't forget to share your score!

https://kilobaser.involve.me/kilobaser-quiz

This interactive content has been created with involve.me

02/02/2023

We are very pleased and proud that we can now officially bear the BGF seal! Thus, our company sustainability, health and responsibility were recognized as lived values!

31/01/2023

Our products meet the highest quality standards, which is why we pay special attention to our quality control. Every device is put through its paces before it starts its journey to the customer.