Why do I have to incubate my PNA solutions before each use?
In contrast to DNA oligonucleotides, PNA oligomers do not have a negatively charged backbone. Instead it is made from repeating N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycin units linked by peptide bonds. Additionally, they do not contain any pentose sugar moieties or phosphate groups. Because of these chemical characteristics, their water solubility is reduced in comparison to DNA oligonucleotides. To dissolve PNA molecules after storage below room temperature, the oligomers must first be incubated for 10 minutes at room temperature, then 10 minutes at 50°C and then finally returned to room temperature before use.