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Advances and Challenges in Small‐Molecule DNA Aptamer Isolation, Characterization, and Sensor Development
Author(s) -
Yu Haixiang,
Alkhamis Obtin,
Canoura Juan,
Liu Yingzhu,
Xiao Yi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.202008663
Subject(s) - aptamer , oligonucleotide , small molecule , systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment , computational biology , nanotechnology , biosensor , workflow , isolation (microbiology) , computer science , dna , chemistry , biology , bioinformatics , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , biochemistry , gene , rna , database
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.