Aptamer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:25, 28 March 2013

Aptamer

An aptamer is an nucleic acid that binds a target molecule.

Comparison to Antibodies

Like antibodies, RNA aptamers can be extremely specific to a target and are capable of discriminating between closely related molecules. RNA aptamers and antibodies can be generated to bind a similarly diverse array of targets. Antibodies, however, are composed of protein and must be produced by the immune cells of a living organism. Novel aptamers can be selected quicky in vitroand amplified by PCR.

Selection of Aptamers

RNA aptamers are generated by selection. The selection process begins with a large library of random sequences and removes RNAs that do not bind the target or bind nonspecifically. The selected RNAs are isolated, reverse-transcribed, amplified, and the process is repeated.

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 <p><img style="float: right;" title="aa" src="/wiki/images/2840896085.jpg" border="0" alt="aa" /></p>
+<h2>Aptamer</h2>
+<p><span style="font-size: small;">An aptamer is an nucleic acid that binds a target molecule. </span></p>
 <p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>Comparison to Antibodies</h2>
+<p><span style="font-size: small;">Like antibodies, RNA aptamers can be extremely specific to a target and are capable of discriminating between closely related molecules. RNA aptamers and antibodies can be generated to bind a similarly diverse array of targets. Antibodies, however, are composed of protein and must be produced by the immune cells of a living organism. Novel aptamers can be selected quicky in vitroand amplified by PCR.</span></p>
 <p>&nbsp;</p>
-<p>== Aptamer == An aptamer is an nucleic acid that binds a target molecule.   === Comparison to Antibodies === Like antibodies, RNA aptamers can be extremely specific to a target and are capable of discriminating between closely related molecules. RNA aptamers and antibodies can be generated to bind a similarly diverse array of targets. Antibodies, however, are composed of protein and must be produced by the immune cells of a living organism. Novel aptamers can be selected quicky in vitroand amplified by PCR.   === Selection of Aptamers === RNA aptamers are generated by selection. The selection process begins with a large library of random sequences and removes RNAs that do not bind the target or bind nonspecifically. The selected RNAs are isolated, reverse-transcribed, amplified, and the process is repeated.</p>
+<h2>Selection of Aptamers</h2>
+<p><span style="font-size: small;">RNA aptamers are generated by selection. The selection process begins with a large library of random sequences and removes RNAs that do not bind the target or bind nonspecifically. The selected RNAs are isolated, reverse-transcribed, amplified, and the process is repeated.</span></p>
 <p style="text-align: right;"><img style="float: right;" title="aa" src="/wiki/images/1478100256.jpg" border="0" alt="aa" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>