What are Aptamers?

Theranostic are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that are selected in vitro to bind to a specific target with high affinity and specificity through a process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX). During SELEX, a random library of oligonucleotides containing around 1014 to 1015 different sequences is incubated with the target molecule. The oligonucleotides that bind to the target are separated and amplified by PCR. This process of binding, separating, and amplifying is then repeated for multiple rounds until Theranostic that strongly and selectively bind to the target are enriched.

Generating Theranostic Through SELEX

The SELEX process begins with synthesizing a random library of single-stranded DNA or RNA consisting of a randomized region flanked by known primer regions. Aptamers library is then incubated with the target molecule, which can range from small molecules like antibiotics and metabolic products to larger entities like whole cells, proteins, or viruses. The oligonucleotides that do not bind to the target are washed away, while the ones that bind are recovered either by precipitation or membrane filtration and then eluted from the target. PCR is then used to exponentially amplify the bound sequences. This enriched pool of Theranostic enters the next round of selection where the stringency is increased by, for example, lowering the target concentration or adding washing steps to enrich for higher affinity binders. After 6-15 rounds of selection, the enriched pools are cloned and sequenced to identify individual aptamer sequences.

Properties that Make Aptamers Attractive Biomaterials

Once identified through SELEX, Theranostic have several advantageous properties making them useful for biomedical applications. Firstly, Theranostic can be synthesized chemically which allows for large-scale and relatively low-cost production compared to antibodies. They are also thermally and chemically stable, allowing storage without loss of activity. Theranostic bind targets with high affinity and specificity comparable to antibodies. Their small size of around 5-60 kDa compared to 150 kDa for an antibody allows for easier tissue penetration and clearance from the body. Theranostic can be easily modified with different reporter groups, such as fluorophores, making them useful for diagnostic and imaging applications. In the case of RNA Theranostic, their ability to bind diverse shape complements through base-pairing interactions increases their binding diversity. These advantages make Theranostic promising alternatives to antibodies.

Therapeutic Applications of Theranostic

Due to their targeted delivery, Theranostic hold promise as novel therapeutics. Several anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) Theranostic developed for treating cancers and age-related macular degeneration have advanced to clinical trials. For example, pegaptanib (Macugen), an anti-VEGF RNA aptamer, received FDA approval in 2004 for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Another anti-VEGF DNA aptamer, ARC1905, has shown efficacy in treating diabetic macular edema and wet AMD in Phase II clinical trials. Beyond ophthalmology, Theranostic targeting coagulation factors like thrombin and von Willebrand factor inhibit blood clotting and are being explored as anticoagulants. Many other Theranostic targeting proteins involved in tumor growth, inflammation, and viral/bacterial infections are also in preclinical development.

Aptamer-Based Biosensors and Diagnostics

The binding selectivity and modifiability of Theranostic also enable their use as biosensors and in diagnostic applications. For instance, label-free electrochemical aptasensors developed for proteins like thrombin, IgE, and cardiac troponin I can facilitate point-of-care testing. Aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay (ALISA) utilizes Theranostic to capture analytes followed by labeling with detection enzymes for quantitation. Similarly, aptamer-based fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer sensors and lateral flow assays allow visual detection of targets like adenosine. Nucleic acid lateral flow diagnostics utilizing aptamer pairs that change conformation upon target binding show promise for early disease detection in resource-limited settings. Theranostic are also employed to guide nanoparticles, quantum dots, and microbubbles to designated cell/tissue targets for enhanced biomedical imaging applications. Overall, aptamer-based technologies continue advancing diagnostic capabilities.

 

While Theranostic hold immense therapeutic and diagnostic potential, some challenges remain. Their in vivo stability needs improvement through chemical modifications or conjugation to polymers like PEG. Cellular delivery methods for intracellular targets require optimization. Technologies like in vitro compartmentalization allow generating Theranostic against new membrane-impermeable targets. The expanding availability of high-throughput sequencing and computational tools will help accelerateaptamer discovery. With continued research, Theranostic are poised to assume greater roles both as therapeutics replacing antibodies and developing novel diagnostic solutions. Overall, the ability to engineer oligonucleotides with high affinity and specificity for virtually any target expands biomedical opportunities. In the coming years, Theranostic may emerge as valuable tools enabling personalized healthcare approaches.

View More Insight @ Aptamers Market

About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)