Aptamer synthesis

Aptamer synthesis

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Aptamers are nucleic acids that bind with high specificity and high affinity to a target. The targets can be of various types : proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, toxins, viral particles... They can be considered as putative ligands for any molecule and can be used in basic research, in analysis tools, as sensors, and also as therapeutic tools. As aptamers are nucleic acids, there is no problem of reproducibility during their production compared to antibodies.
 
For your projects involving aptamer selection, identification, labeling and optimization, please contact us.

 

Aptamers, an alternative to antibodies


Advantages:


  • Chemically synthesized: cheap and easy to produce
  • No organisms involved: GMP easy
  • Low/non-immunogenic targets can be addressed
  • Can be selected under non-physiologic conditions
  • Easily modified for chemical conjugation, labeling, other properties
  • Small size: good transport, more moles/gram
  • Stable: no cold chain required


What are Aptamers ?

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can bind to pre-selected targets including proteins and peptides with high affinity and specificity

These molecules can assume a variety of shapes due to their propensity to form helices and single-stranded loops, explaining their versatility in binding to diverse targets.

Contrary to the actual genetic material, their specificity and characteristics are not directly determined by their primary sequence, but instead by their tertiary structure.


Comparison Aptamers / Antibodies:

Aptamers Antibodies
Chemical synthesis: no batch to batch variation of activity, large production volume
Biological synthesis
Use under a variety of conditions Use limited to physiologic conditions
Selection against a wide range of targets Selection limited to immunogenic targets
No secondary reagent needed Secondary antibody is needed
Stable in harsh condition Difficult for apply to harsh condition
Easy for chemical modification (dyes, thiol, biotine...) Difficult for chemical modification
Small size (<30 kDa): easy membrane penetration Large size (~150 kDa): difficult membrane penetration
Unlimited shelf-life Limited shelf-life


Applications:

  • Biosensors and novel assays
  • Lateral flow assays
  • Western blotting
  • ELISA/ELONA
  • Flow cytometry
  • Therapeutics and drug delivery including siRNA