Aptamer: Difference between revisions
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== Aptamer == | == Aptamer == | ||
An aptamer is an nucleic acid that binds a target molecule. | An aptamer is an nucleic acid that binds a target molecule. | ||
=== Comparison to Antibodies === | === 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. | 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 === | === 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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 17:48, 19 November 2012
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.
