Objectives & Techniques

OBJECTIVE: The Aptamer Stream uses in vitro selections to identify aptamers: oligonucleotides (i.e. DNA or RNA) that bind to targets of interest.

Initially, students in the class select aptamers against assigned targets, then they have the opportunity to select aptamers against their own target of interest. This stream is a drug discovery and diagnostics stream. We are involved in biological engineering (instead of biological discovery). We do not find new proteins/genes. We find therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

The techniques used in this stream include micropipetting, filter separations, enzyme catalyzed reactions [such as polymerase chain reaction (DNA --> More DNA), reverse transcription (RNA --> DNA), transcription (DNA --> RNA), etc.], gel electrophoresis, oligonucleotide quantification, and proper storage of materials.

Provided by Bradley Hall, Ph.D., former Aptamer Stream RE (2006-2010).