Aptameric Biosensors

Aptamers are synthetic single stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can bind with high affinity and specificity to their non-nucleic acid target molecules. The artificial nucleic acid ligands can be generated against proteins, small molecules, ions, whole cells, tissues and organs. The process of aptamers isolation, their affinity properties and applications thereof are described. In addition, the particular case of how structural changes in aptamers can be used to construct fluorescent molecular sensors coupling both recognition and signaling properties is explained and their use finally as recognition elements in various platforms of biosensors are herein illustrated.