Using aptamers to identify and enter cells.
While nucleic acid binding species (aptamers) have previously been selected against a variety of biomedically important protein targets, the selection of aptamers against complex targets, such as cell surfaces and organisms, is becoming increasingly feasible. A number of aptamers have now been generated that can target specific cell-surface antigens and cell types, including tumor biomarkers and tumor cells. The generation of anti-cell aptamers has important implications for identifying disease-specific biomarkers, generating diagnostics, and developing novel drug delivery strategies.
Chu
Ted
T
University of Texas at Austin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Ebright
Jessica
J
Ellington
Andrew D
AD
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering