Analytical applications of aptamers

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Nucleic acid probes detect RNA/DNA via hybridization.
• Aptamers are nucleic acid ligands selected for high-affinity binding to diverse targets, including small molecules, proteins, toxins, and prions.
• Aptamers offer an alternative to antibodies and biomimetic receptors in biosensor development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review analytical methods utilizing aptamers.
• To provide an overview of aptamer selection processes.
• To highlight aptamers as versatile tools for molecular recognition.

Main Methods:

• In vitro selection and amplification techniques identify specific aptamers.
• Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) is the common production method.
• Iterative selection and PCR amplification isolate functional nucleic acids from large libraries.

Main Results:

• Aptamers bind targets with high affinity and can discriminate between similar molecules.
• Aptamers have been successfully selected against various targets, including small organic molecules (100-10,000 Da), toxins, and prions.
• Selected aptamers demonstrate potential as analytical, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools.

Conclusions:

• Aptamers represent a significant advancement in molecular recognition technologies.
• Their high affinity and specificity make them valuable for biosensors and analytical methods.
• Aptamers are suitable for a wide range of applications, including diagnostics and therapeutics.