[Aptamers as perspective affine reagents for clinical proteomics]

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Chemical Biology

Context:

• Advancements in affine microchip technology are crucial for applying proteomic findings in medicine.
• Monoclonal antibodies face limitations, driving the search for alternative affinity reagents.
• Synthetic antibody mimetics, particularly oligonucleotide aptamers, are gaining interest.

Purpose:

• To review challenges and strategies in the automation and optimization of aptamer selection.
• To discuss the selection and application of photoaptamers for covalent protein complex formation.
• To explore post-selection aptamer modification techniques for improved affinity and selectivity.

Summary:

• Oligonucleotide aptamers are synthetic reagents with potential to replace antibodies due to automated selection and low synthesis cost.
• The review covers automated aptamer selection, optimization, and the development of photoaptamers for photo-induced covalent binding.
• Methods for enhancing aptamer affinity and selectivity through post-selection modification are also discussed.

Impact:

• Facilitates the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools based on aptamer technology.
• Enables more efficient and cost-effective protein detection and analysis in research and clinical settings.
• Advances the application of proteomics in scientific and medical practice through improved affinity reagents.