Illustration of the two step coupling strategy utilized to prepare DEAL antibodies. In parallel, hydrazide groups are introduced onto a monoclonal antibody and 5' aldehyde modified single-stranded DNA is prepared from 5' aminated oligomers. When combined, hydrazone bonds are formed, linking the ssDNA to the antibody. At bottom right is a gel mobility shift assay showing varied oligomer (strand A1') loading unto α-human IL-4. By varying the stoichiometric ratios of SANH to antibody (lanes I–IV corresponds to 300:1, 100:1, 50:1, 25:1 respectively), the average number of attached oligonucleotides can be controlled.