aptamerer

An aptamerer is an informal term used to describe a scientist or practitioner who specializes in aptamers—short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that fold into three-dimensional shapes capable of binding specific targets with high affinity. The word is not standard in scholarly literature; more common descriptors include aptamer researcher or aptamer scientist.

Aptamers can bind a wide range of targets, including proteins, small molecules, peptides, and even whole cells. They are typically discovered through SELEX, which stands for systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. SELEX starts with a large, randomized library of sequences, which is exposed to the target; sequences that bind are isolated, amplified (usually by PCR for DNA and reverse transcription for RNA), and the process is repeated across multiple rounds to enrich high-affinity aptamers. Chemical modifications are often introduced to improve nuclease resistance, binding properties, and pharmacokinetics. Advances in sequencing and computational analysis now aid in monitoring selection dynamics and guiding optimization.

An aptamerer’s activities commonly include designing and preparing libraries, conducting SELEX experiments, and performing binding and functional assays (such as affinity measurements and structural studies). They may also work on chemical modification strategies, stability assessments, and the transition of aptamers from discovery to preclinical validation.

Applications of aptamers span therapeutics, diagnostics, biosensing, imaging, and targeted delivery. Notable milestones include the approval of pegaptanib (Macugen) in 2004 for age-related macular degeneration, as the first aptamer-based drug. Today, aptamerers contribute to ongoing research and development across academia and industry, seeking to expand the utility and performance of aptamer technologies.