Recent Developments in Aptamer-Based Sensors for Diagnostics.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a major global health challenge, necessitating improved diagnostic tools.
• Traditional diagnostic methods for NCDs are often costly, slow, and require extensive infrastructure, limiting accessibility in resource-limited settings.
• Aptamer-based biosensors offer a promising alternative due to their high specificity, stability, and cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent advancements in aptamer-based sensors for the diagnosis of NCDs.
• To highlight the potential of aptasensors in point-of-care (POC) diagnostic applications.
• To discuss the adaptability of these sensors in real-world scenarios and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) methodology for aptamer development.
• Review of electrochemical and optical aptasensor technologies.
• Analysis of aptasensor performance for various NCD biomarkers.

Main Results:

• Aptamers exhibit high-affinity binding to diverse NCD-related targets, including proteins and cells.
• Electrochemical and optical aptasensors demonstrate enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and stability for disease detection.
• Applications span across various NCDs such as lung cancer, leukemia, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disorders.

Conclusions:

• Aptamer-based biosensors are a viable and advanced technology for the early and efficient diagnosis of NCDs.
• These aptasensors are well-suited for point-of-care diagnostics, offering a practical solution for global health challenges.
• Further research is needed to overcome current limitations and fully realize the potential of aptasensors in clinical settings.