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Progress in selection and biomedical applications of aptamers
Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology
|May 21, 2015
Summary
Aptamers, short DNA/RNA molecules, are selected using SELEX technology. Modified SELEX methods enhance efficiency and allow selection against diverse targets like cells, enabling broad biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules selected via SELEX.
- SELEX technology has evolved for improved efficiency, speed, affinity, and automation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review SELEX technology for aptamer screening.
- To highlight recent advancements in SELEX methods.
- To discuss the biomedical applications of aptamers.
Main Methods:
- Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) and its modifications.
- Modified SELEX: negative, counter, and subtractive SELEX.
- Efficient SELEX: CE-SELEX, non-SELEX, automated-SELEX, microfluidic SELEX, and cell SELEX.
Main Results:
- SELEX can theoretically select aptamers for any target.
- Modified and efficient SELEX methods improve aptamer selection.
- Cell SELEX enables targeting of whole cells, including pathogens and cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Aptamers offer high specificity, affinity, and stability for biomedical applications.
- Advanced SELEX techniques facilitate aptamer development.
- Aptamer-nanomaterial conjugates show promise in diagnostics, therapeutics, and bioimaging.
