Chapter 22 - Applications of aptamers for the diagnosis and therapy of different diseases

Abstract

Aptamers are synthetic RNA or single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides that are generated from an in vitro selection process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). They bind to a broad range of targets, including lipids, proteins, small molecules, and even cells with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers have a three-dimensional structure that can be modified simply and reversibly in order to capture or release specific targets. Aptamers have been used for the development of novel clinical applications, such as biosensing metabolites in medical diagnostics, tumor imaging, and cancer therapy. In this chapter, we will describe aptamers and their application as biotechnological tools in biosensor development, and as therapeutic agents for drug delivery and the diagnosis of diseases.