title: Long Shelf Life of a Lyophilized DNA Aptamer Beacon Assay.
abstract: An aptamer beacon previously developed to detect C-telopeptide (CTx) from human bone collagen breakdown was lyophilized and shown to give a "lights on" concentration-dependent spectral fluorescence response essentially identical to that of the fresh reagent despite storage in a dark dry environment for the past 5.5 years.
authors.affiliation: Operational Technologies Corporation, 4100 NW Loop 410, Suite 230, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. john.bruno@otcorp.com.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bruno
mesh_terms: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry*; D001681:Biological Assay; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide
keywords: Aptamer; Beacon; DNA; Freeze-dried; Lyophilization; Shelf life