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Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind to specific target proteins or small molecules with high specificity.
Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind to specific target proteins or small molecules with high specificity.
They have a varying range of applications as well as potential benefits over their antibody counterparts. Our stream selects and characterizes aptamers against chosen targets using the in vitro selection ("evolution in a test tube") method. These aptamers can be used in a variety of human and environmental health applications. This page provides a general introduction to aptamers and their uses.
They have a varying range of applications as well as potential benefits over their antibody counterparts. Our stream selects and characterizes aptamers against chosen targets using the in vitro selection ("evolution in a test tube") method. These aptamers can be used in a variety of human and environmental health applications. This page provides a general introduction to aptamers and their uses.
Applications of Aptamers:
Applications of Aptamers:
Detection
Detection
Aptamers can be used in detection, useful in fields such as environmental science, where aptamers can detect pesticides or pollutants to gauge water quality. For example, an aptasensor has been developed to detect heavy metal ion pollutants in water. (1) One of our lab's prior projects focused on designing an aptasensor targeting E.coli to detect contamination in water.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Aptamers can be used in diagnosis, useful in early diagnosis of health-related diseases. One of our lab's prior projects focused on developing an aptamer targeting the protein HE4, used as a biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Therapeutics
Therapeutics
Aptamers can be used in therapeutics in applications such as aptamer-mediated target delivery to delivery drugs noninvasively through the usage of aptamer-nanoparticle complexes. There has been research for the development of using this technology in cancer therapeutics. (2)
Aptamers can be combined with biosensors to form aptamer-based biosensors, giving off signals when bound to targets.
Aptamers can be combined with biosensors to form aptamer-based biosensors, giving off signals when bound to targets.
Check out the biosensors page to find out more!
How are aptamers selected?
How are aptamers selected?
RUTV Journalism Rhodes University. (2019, Nov 12). Aptamers and SELEX [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8H-Pa49zbw
SELEX
SELEX
Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), or in vitro selection, is a technique used to produce DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that bind to target ligands. SELEX starts with an initial library that contains a randomized region of nucleotides. The library is then thrown against the target ligand, and certain aptamer candidates bind to the target. Any unbound aptamers are washed away, leaving the bound aptamers to the ligand. The bound aptamers are then eluted and amplified through PCR. SELEX can be repeated to increase specificity of ligand binding and strength of aptamer, and the resulting aptamer candidates can be sent off for sequencing or binding affinity assays.
Aptamers vs. Antibodies:
What's the difference?
Aptamers vs. Antibodies:
What's the difference?
Production
Production
Aptamers are chemically synthesized, making them inexpensive and easy to mass-produce. Antibodies require cell culturing, which are expensive and labor-intensive (3).
Stability
Stability
Aptamers are single stranded DNA or RNA whereas antibodies are proteins. Antibodies are more susceptible to higher temperatures and pH changes than aptamers (3).
Size
Size
Aptamers are very small, around 30 kilodaltons, while antibodies are larger at around 150 kilodaltons. This allows aptamers to more easily enter tissues and even cells (3)
FIRE MD Lab's Work With Aptamers
FIRE MD Lab's Work With Aptamers
FIRE MD Lab has carried out projects selecting aptamers against a variety of targets - you can find examples on our posters here:
FIRE MD Lab has carried out projects selecting aptamers against a variety of targets - you can find examples on our posters here:
References
References
All figures were created with BioRender.com .
(1) Tan, L., Chen, Z., Zhao, Y., Wei, X., Li, Y., Zhang, C., Wei, X., and Hu, X. (2016). Dual channel sensor for detection and discrimination of heavy metal ions based on colorimetric and fluorescence response of the AuNPs-DNA conjugates. Biosens. Bioelectron. 85, 414–421.
(2) Tan, L., Chen, Z., Zhao, Y., Wei, X., Li, Y., Zhang, C., Wei, X., and Hu, X. (2016). Dual channel sensor for detection and discrimination of heavy metal ions based on colorimetric and fluorescence response of the AuNPs-DNA conjugates. Biosens. Bioelectron. 85, 414–421.
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