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Abstract

This invention relates to the field of nucleic acid chemistry, more specifically to compositions of matter that are nucleic acid analogs, and processes that use them. Still more specifically, these compositions comprise two fragments of DNA-like molecules, each having one or more ends modified to carry a reactive group, where the reactive group on one fragment can form a transient covalent bond with the reactive group on the other under conditions of dynamic equilibrium to form a composite, where the composite can then bind to a target oligonucleotide, such as a DNA or RNA molecule. Most specifically, once the transient covalent bond forms, the composite serves as a primer for a template-directed polymerization using a DNA polymerase, an RNA polymerase, or a reverse transcriptase. Once incorporated, the epimerization causes the base pair to be destabilized, the duplex containing the epimerized nucleoside to likewise be destabilized, and the double strand to then disassociate. This leaves the template available to template the synthesis of another complementary oligonucleotide containing the epimerizing base.

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First Claim