aptamereissa

Aptameres are nucleic acid ligands that can bind to a specific target molecule, similar to how antibodies bind to their targets. They are typically composed of single-stranded DNA or RNA and are selected from a large combinatorial library through a process called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment). The unique three-dimensional structure that an aptamer folds into is crucial for its specific binding to a target. This binding is usually non-covalent and reversible.

The targets for aptamers can be diverse, including small molecules, proteins, viruses, and even whole cells. Their specificity and affinity for targets can rival or even exceed those of antibodies. Aptamers offer several advantages, such as easier synthesis and modification, lower immunogenicity, and greater stability under varying conditions compared to antibodies.

In diagnostics, aptamers are used in biosensors for detecting biomarkers associated with diseases. In therapeutics, aptamer-based drugs have been developed to treat conditions like age-related macular degeneration and cancer by inhibiting disease-causing molecules. Their ability to be chemically synthesized, modified with various functional groups, and their potential for intracellular delivery make them versatile tools in both research and clinical applications.