Is it best to have my 5 thiol linker modified oligonucleotide delivered with or without the thiol protected?
A – There is really no good answer to this. Much depends on your experience and what you plan to do with the molecule. In most applications, the thiol will be reduced just prior to use any way to ensure that unwanted dimers are cleaved. If the conjugation to be performed is to a maleimide, the reduction can actually be done in situ during conjugation. In that case, there is very little difference. Technically, it is easier to purify a protected thiol, but it is very difficult to keep it on completely intact.
