Welcome to the Aptamer Stream Website!

Based at the University of Texas at Austin and part of the University of Texas Freshman Research Initiative, the Aptamer Stream uses oligonucleotide chemistry, in vitro selection methodology, and biochemistry to develop novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and molecular sensors. Our tool of choice for the development of these applications is an "aptamer," which are oligonucleotide binding species. We use the methods of in vitro selection methodology to identify aptamers against a variety of targets.

Simply put, we develop things that bind to other things.

More specifically, we develop aptamers that are able to specifically, tightly bind to various targets of interest. Think of it like a lock-and-key mechanism: the target is the 'lock' and the aptamer is the 'key'.

A few of the common applications of aptamer technology:

• Medical Therapeutics -- Aptamers against targets implicated in, or are precursors to, disease states could have inhibitory effects. Thus, aptamers can function as efficient treatments and for alleviating the disease.
• Diagnostics -- Aptamers against disease biomarkers, small molecules, or whole cells could be used as diagnostics to detect their presence in complex mixtures.
• Molecular Sensors or Switches -- Aptamers may serve as gene regulators (such as synthetic riboswitches) or as drug delivery vehicles (such as nanoparticle adjuncts).

Methods to select high-affinity aptamers from random pools were first published in 1990 by two independent groups: A. Ellington and J. Szostak (Nature), and C Tuerk and L. Gold (Science). Since then, aptamers have been raised to bind to a wide array of different chemical, biological, or physical conditions including ion deficiency, cancer-associated proteins, toxins, and whole pathogenic bacteria (reviewed in Stoltenburg et al. 2007).