Chemical Synthesis of Oligonucleotides

A set of student group presentations on the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides has been used as a capstone project for the standard sophomore organic sequence. The project has several attractive features, including serving as a review of important reaction types, as a bridge to the biochemistry course, and as a way to help students transition from relying on secondary sources to reading the primary literature. The author has used this project successfully in classes ranging from 11 to 35 students. Depending on class size between four and ten groups may be assigned, requiring one or two weeks of class time at the end of the semester.