Ligasjonsbasert

Ligasjonsbasert is a term used to describe methods or approaches that hinge on ligation, the chemical joining of two molecular fragments, as a central step. In practice, ligasjonsbaserte (ligase-based) techniques use a ligation reaction to connect pieces of DNA, RNA, or proteins in order to enable detection, amplification, or assembly. The term is common in molecular biology, biochemistry, and related fields and contrasts with strategies that rely solely on hybridization, amplification, or synthesis without a ligation event.

In nucleic acid applications, ligation-based approaches often rely on DNA ligase to seal nicks only when probe ends correctly match a target sequence. Examples include padlock probes that circularize upon perfect hybridization, ligation-dependent amplification, and ligation-mediated PCR. After ligation, downstream processes such as rolling circle amplification or sequencing library construction are used. These methods can offer high specificity, single-nucleotide discrimination, and multiplexing potential.

In protein chemistry, ligation-based strategies include native chemical ligation and expressed protein ligation, which join peptide segments to create larger or labeled proteins with defined sequences. These approaches enable precise protein assembly under mild conditions and are valuable in protein engineering and functional studies.

Applications of ligasjonsbaserte methods span diagnostics, sequencing, and synthetic biology, where reliable and modular joining steps improve specificity and adaptability. Limitations include dependence on ligation efficiency, design constraints related to sequence context, and potential biases from enzymatic steps. Careful probe or fragment design and optimization of reaction conditions are essential for robust performance.

Related concepts include DNA ligase, ligation-based PCR, padlock probes, ligation-mediated amplification, rolling circle amplification, native chemical ligation, and expressed protein ligation.