What are Aptamers?
Often described as synthetic antibodies, aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that fold into secondary structures which can bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity. In 1990, the first aptamer was developed against T4 DNA Polymerase using RNA1 . Since then, both aptamer selection methods and subsequent applications have expanded significantly. Aptamers can now be developed using both RNA and DNA, as well as non-natural bases, backbones, and small molecules. Applications include: detection molecules in ELISA-like assays, protein-specific tissue staining, targeted drug delivery, and an FDA-approved treatment for macular degeneration2,3.
Aptamers vs. Antibodies: The Aptamer Advantage
With their robust binding affinities and high specificity for small biomolecules, aptamers have generated great interest as an alternative to antibodies. A comparison between the properties of aptamers and antibodies is summarized below.
SELEX Techniques
1. Selection: DNA sequences that bind to the target are partitioned from sequences ...
