Aptamers?

A team of researchers recently developed an electronic biosensor based on DNA aptamers that can detect biomarkers in whole blood samples without the use of reagents.

📍About Aptamers:

✅They are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA (ssDNA or ssRNA) molecules that can selectively bind to a specific target, including proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, small molecules, toxins, and even live cells.

✅Aptamers assume a variety of shapes due to their tendency to form helices and single-stranded loops.

✅They can be used as an antibody alternative in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and target-binding applications.

✅They can also be readily conjugated to gold nanoparticles or quantum dots as a basis for point-of-care diagnostics.

✅What is a Biomarker?

🔰It is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. 

🔰A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition.