Factors and methods to modulate DNA hybridization kinetics

DNA oligonucleotides are widely used in a diverse range of research fields from analytical chemistry, molecular biology, nanotechnology to drug delivery. In these applications, DNA hybridization is often the most important enabling reaction. Achieving control over hybridization kinetics and a high yield of hybridized products is needed to ensure high-quality and reproducible results. Since DNA strands are highly negatively charged and can also fold upon itself to form various intramolecular structures, DNA hybridization needs to overcome these barriers. Nucleation and diffusion are two main kinetic limiting steps although their relative importance differs in different conditions. The effects of length and sequence, temperature, pH, salt concentration, cationic polymers, organic solvents, freezing and crowding agents are summarized in the context of overcoming these barriers. This article will help researchers in the biotechnology-related fields to better understand and control DNA hybridization, as well as provide a landscape for future work in simulation and experiment to optimize DNA hybridization systems.