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Aptasensors--the future of biosensing?
1Bioelectrochemistry and Bioengineering Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain. ckosulli@etse.urv.es
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|April 10, 2002
Summary
Artificial nucleic acid ligands called aptamers can be generated against various molecules. Aptamers offer advantages for therapeutics, diagnostics, and biosensors (aptasensors).
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acid ligands selected to bind specific targets.
- They are generated through iterative selection from combinatorial libraries.
- First reported in 1990, aptamers have evolved significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties and applications of aptamers.
- To discuss the suitability of aptamers for biosensor technology (aptasensors).
- To explore current research and future prospects of aptamers.
Main Methods:
- Selection of aptamers from combinatorial libraries via adsorption, recovery, and reamplification.
- Review of existing literature on aptamer properties and applications.
- Analysis of aptamer advantages in biosensor development.
Main Results:
- Aptamers can be generated against a wide range of targets, including amino acids, drugs, and proteins.
- Aptamers offer significant advantages over traditional affinity sensors for biosensor applications.
- Current research highlights their potential in therapeutics and diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Aptamers are versatile tools with broad applicability in diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Their unique properties make them ideal biocomponents for advanced aptasensor development.
- Continued research promises further innovation in aptamer technology.