Aptamers: selected oligonucleotides for therapy

In vitro selection constitutes a unique way to explore vast libraries (up to 10(14) to 10(15) different molecules) of randomly synthesized nucleic acids. Selected RNA or DNA sequences (aptamers) may help to understand the molecular interactions and processes of interest for human diseases. Aptamers can be chemically-modified for improved efficiency and use in complex biological media. Moreover, aptamers selected in vitro may retain their activity in vivo and thus offer novel perspectives for gene therapy and the design of new drugs.