Detection of Proteins in Serum by Micromagnetic Aptamer PCR (MAP) Technology

Selected DNA aptamers as hydroxyapatite affinity reagents

DNA aptamers were selected for their ability to bind specifically and quickly to crystalline hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂; HAP), the primary mineral component of enamel and bone. Aptamers were found to have an enhanced percent of G-nucleotides and a propensity for forming a G-quadruplex secondary structure. One aptamer was studied in comparison to control sequences and was found to bind with high affinity and at high loading capacity, with enhanced binding kinetics, and with specificity for crystalline HAP material over amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP). The fluorescently-functionalized aptamer was demonstrated to specifically label HAP in a surface binding experiment and suggests the usefulness of this selected aptamer in biomedical or biotechnology fields where the labeling of specific calcium phosphate materials is required.

Nucleic acid and peptide aptamers: fundamentals and bioanalytical aspects

In recent years new nucleic acid and protein-based combinatorial molecules have attracted the attention of researchers working in various areas of science, ranging from medicine to analytical chemistry. These molecules, called aptamers, have been proposed as alternatives to antibodies in many different applications. The aim of this Review is to illustrate the peculiarities of these combinatorial molecules which have initially been explored for their importance in molecular medicine, but have enormous potential in other biotechnological fields historically dominated by antibodies, such as bioassays. A description of these molecules is given, and the methods for their selection and production are also summarized. Moreover, critical aspects related to these molecules are discussed.