title: Aptamer-based biosensors: biomedical applications.
abstract: This chapter considers the use of aptamer-based biosensors (generally termed 'aptasensors') in various biomedical applications. A comparison of antibodies and aptamers is made with respect to their use in the development of biosensors. A brief introduction to biosensor design and theory is provided to illustrate the principles of the field. Various transduction approaches, viz. optical, fluorescence, acoustic wave and electrochemical, are discussed. Specific biomedical applications described include RNA folding, high-throughput screening of drugs, use as receptors for measuring biological concentrations, detection of platelet-derived growth factor, protein binding and detection of HIV-1 Tat protein.
authors.affiliation: Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. anildeisingh@aol.com
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Deisingh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology