Exploring the Potential of DNA/RNA Aptamers in National Security

Abstract

Internal security of nations has become a lot more fluid and prone to unconventional threats, post-cold war. For early threat detection and mitigation, rapid, reliable and simple solutions are needed. Nucleic acid aptamers, as a part of new and emerging branch of biotechnology, offer one of the possible solutions. Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that assume a specific conformation depending on their base pair sequences and tertiary folding. Conformation thus assumed by the aptamer is unique and can bind to complementary ligands via non-covalent bonds. The aptamers can bind to ligands, which range from small molecules to entire cells. However, here, chemicals of interest are those, which pose a security concern, e.g., explosives, narcotics and chemical warfare agents. Aptamers are both resistant to environmental extremes and are cheap in mass production. These properties make aptamers of interest in the field for threat detection and mitigation in national security. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that challenges involved in translation of this technology from the laboratory to the field be addressed as soon as possible, to realize the benefits of this technology for defense applications.