Engineering aptamers for biomedical applications: Part I

Abstract

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are selected for specific binding to a wide range of targets by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology. Aptamers have high specificity and affinity toward target molecules and exhibit desired thermal stability. Additionally, the oligonucleotide nature makes aptamers easy to be chemically modified or incorporated with other DNA/RNA molecules. Owing to these outstanding properties, aptamers have attracted considerable attention within different branches of biomedicine. On the other hand, biosensors are miniaturized analytical devices that are playing an important role in biomedical applications, especially in clinical diagnoses. Recent advances in molecular engineering of aptamers with enhanced bioavailability signal generation and amplification abilities have greatly facilitated the development of aptamer-based biosensors and have pushed them closer to clinical applications. In this chapter, we will detail the recent development in engineering aptamers and highlight the work for sensor applications by using engineered aptamers.