Advances and Challenges in Small-Molecule DNA Aptamer Isolation, Characterization, and Sensor Development

Overview

Journal Angew Chem Int Ed Engl

Specialty Chemistry

Date 2021 Feb 9

PMID 33559947

Citations 70

Authors

Haixiang Yu

Obtin Alkhamis

Juan Canoura

Yingzhu Liu

Yi Xiao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aptamers are short oligonucleotides isolated in vitro from randomized libraries that can bind to specific molecules with high affinity, and offer a number of advantages relative to antibodies as biorecognition elements in biosensors. However, it remains difficult and labor-intensive to develop aptamer-based sensors for small-molecule detection. Here, we review the challenges and advances in the isolation and characterization of small-molecule-binding DNA aptamers and their use in sensors. First, we discuss in vitro methodologies for the isolation of aptamers, and provide guidance on selecting the appropriate strategy for generating aptamers with optimal binding properties for a given application. We next examine techniques for characterizing aptamer-target binding and structure. Afterwards, we discuss various small-molecule sensing platforms based on original or engineered aptamers, and their detection applications. Finally, we conclude with a general workflow to develop aptamer-based small-molecule sensors for real-world applications.

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