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Aptamers, short single-stranded nucleic acids, bind to diverse targets including proteins, small molecules, and entire cells with exceptional affinity and specificity. This capability positions them as highly versatile tools across multiple biomedical fields, notably bio-imaging, diagnostics, therapeutic applications, drug delivery, and food inspection.

Bio-Imaging and Diagnostics

Aptamers have gained significant attention in bio-imaging and diagnostic applications due to their high specificity and stability. For instance, recent advancements include the development of aptamer-based probes for early cancer detection. The European project APTACELLSENS successfully developed multiplex assays utilizing aptamers to detect molecular fingerprints of common cancers, thereby enhancing diagnostic profiling and monitoring (CORDIS EU, 2023). Additionally, aptamer-based assays have been effectively used to detect pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and environmental pollutants, demonstrating their adaptability and efficacy in point-of-care diagnostics (Analytical Chemistry, 2022).

In molecular imaging, aptamers conjugated with fluorophores, radioisotopes, or nanoparticles have shown promising results in preclinical studies for targeted imaging of disease-specific biomarkers, enhancing the precision and sensitivity of techniques like PET, MRI, and optical imaging (ACS Sensors, 2023).

Chemiluminescent Aptamer Sensor for Early Alzheimer’s Detection

A Luminescent MD (USA) team developed a cost-effective aptamer biosensor that uses guanine chemiluminescence to detect trace levels of beta-amyloid 1–40, enabling early Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. 

This DNA aptamer sensor binds its target within an hour at room temperature and produces a light signal proportional to amyloid concentration. The assay achieved a detection limit of ~2 ng/mL with high accuracy, demonstrating its promise as a sensitive, antibody-free test for dementia biomarkers.

Aptamer Diagnostics Transforming Rare Disease Detection & Neurodegenerative Biomarkers

Aptamer-based biosensors have emerged as promising alternatives to offer enhanced specificity, stability, and cost-effectiveness for disease biomarker detection. 

These innovations span diverse formats – from high-precision electronic sensors to simple lateral flow strips – enabling broad accessibility in point-of-care testing. Recent breakthroughs (2020–2024) illustrate how aptamer diagnostics are driving new solutions in rare disease detection and neurodegenerative biomarker analysis.

Graphene-Aptamer Chip for Neurodegenerative Biomarkers

Researchers at UC San Diego created a portable graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) biosensor functionalized with disease-specific DNA aptamers. In 2023 they reported single-molecule detection of key neurodegenerative biomarkers – amyloid beta, tau, and α-synuclein – using this wireless aptamer-based platform.

The chip distinguished Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s pathology by specifically binding each protein with femtomolar precision. Notably, the aptamer-enabled GFET delivered high sensitivity and is designed for at-home, point-of-care operation, heralding a new era of rapid screening for neurodegenerative diseases.

Electrochemical Aptamer Test for PKU (Rare Metabolic Disease)

Targeting rare diseases, a UC Santa Barbara team adapted an electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensor to continuously monitor phenylalanine – the biomarker of phenylketonuria (PKU). By analogy to a glucose monitor for diabetes, such a device could allow PKU patients to easily track phenylalanine levels at home. The team’s innovative microfluidic aptasensor provided real-time, seconds-resolved readings of phenylalanine in living subjects. This revealed rapid metabolic fluctuations previously undetectable by conventional methods, highlighting the sensor’s potential for early intervention and personalized management in PKU.

Cutting-Edge Aptamer Solutions: These examples showcase how aptamer diagnostics are revolutionizing rare disease detection and the tracking of neurodegenerative biomarkers. Each platform – from novel aptamer-based biosensors to integrated chips – highlights the frontiers of specificity, speed, and versatility. Our company leverages this same innovation in offering custom aptamer development, delivering tailored aptamer solutions that empower next-generation diagnostic platforms aligned with these breakthroughs.

Therapeutic Applications

Therapeutically, aptamers function both as drug delivery vehicles and as direct therapeutic agents due to their specificity, low immunogenicity, and ease of chemical modification. A prominent example is Pegaptanib sodium (Macugen), the first FDA-approved RNA aptamer drug, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (FDA, 2023).

Moreover, ongoing clinical trials focus on aptamers designed against various viral targets. Notably, aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have demonstrated efficacy in neutralizing the virus in preclinical studies, representing a promising strategy for future antiviral therapies (Nature Communications, 2023). Aptamers have also shown therapeutic potential in anticoagulation therapy, with nucleic acid aptamers specifically targeting thrombin to reduce blood clot formation (Blood Journal, 2023).

NOX-A12 – Aptamer Targeting CXCL12 in Cancer Therapy

Indication: Glioblastoma and other solid tumors.
Mechanism: NOX-A12 is an RNA aptamer that binds to the chemokine CXCL12, disrupting its interaction with CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors. This interference hampers tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Clinical Status: Currently in mid-stage clinical development as a combination therapy for brain cancer and glioblastoma.
Reference: BiochemPEG article on NOX-A12.

BC 007 – Aptamer Neutralizing Autoantibodies in Cardiovascular Diseases

Indication: Dilated cardiomyopathy and potential applications in Long COVID.
Mechanism: BC 007 is a 15-mer single-stranded DNA aptamer designed to neutralize pathogenic autoantibodies targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAbs), which are implicated in various cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical Status: Phase II clinical trials have shown that BC 007 can neutralize GPCR-AAbs and improve cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, studies are exploring its efficacy in treating Long COVID symptoms associated with autoantibodies.
Reference: Wikipedia article on BC 007.

Avacincaptad Pegol (Izervay) – FDA-Approved Aptamer for Geographic Atrophy

Indication: Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Mechanism: Avacincaptad pegol is an RNA aptamer that binds to complement protein C5, inhibiting its activation and preventing the formation of the membrane attack complex, thereby slowing the progression of GA.

Clinical Status: Approved by the FDA in August 2023 under the brand name Izervay. Clinical trials (GATHER1 and GATHER2) demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of GA progression in patients receiving monthly intravitreal injections of 2 mg Izervay compared to sham treatment.
Reference: BiochemPEG article on Avacincaptad Pegol.

These examples underscore the therapeutic potential of aptamers in various clinical settings:

Avacincaptad Pegol (Izervay): Demonstrates the successful application of aptamers in ophthalmology, offering a targeted approach to slow GA progression in AMD patients.

NOX-A12: Highlights the role of aptamers in oncology, where targeting specific chemokines like CXCL12 can disrupt tumor growth and metastasis.
BC 007: Showcases the versatility of aptamers in neutralizing pathogenic autoantibodies, with implications for both cardiovascular diseases and emerging conditions like Long COVID.

Drug Delivery

Aptamers are increasingly being integrated into advanced drug delivery systems. Due to their target-specific binding properties, aptamers have been linked to nanoparticles, liposomes, or polymeric micelles to deliver therapeutic payloads precisely to diseased tissues. Recent research highlights aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles successfully delivering chemotherapeutic agents directly into tumor cells, significantly improving therapeutic outcomes while reducing off-target toxicity (Journal of Controlled Release, 2023).

Additionally, aptamer-based “smart” delivery systems that undergo conformational changes upon binding to specific cellular markers are under intense investigation. These systems offer controlled release and targeted therapy, representing a crucial advancement in personalized medicine (Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2023).

Aptamer Nanomicelles for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy (2023)

Disease area: Solid tumors (cancer). Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) developed a self-assembling aptamer nanomicelle system to enhance photodynamic therapy against cancer.
Aptamer design & mechanism: A DNA aptamer (sgc8) specific for tumor cells was modified with a hydrophobic C18 tail, causing it to self-assemble into micelles in water. These aptamer micelles can encapsulate hydrophobic drugs like photosensitizers.

The aptamer on the micelle surface binds to targets on cancer cells, delivering the photosensitizer directly to tumors. Upon light activation, this yields a potent localized therapeutic effect. This design improves drug stability and tumor specificity, minimizing off-target damage.
Institution: Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (collaboration with Fuzhou University).
Source: Chen et al., J. Nanobiotechnology (2023) – Open access article.

Aptamer-Targeted Liposomes for Antibiotic Delivery to Biofilms (2022)

Disease area: Chronic Staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA biofilms). An academic team at Aarhus University (Denmark) created an aptamer-guided liposome therapy to tackle drug-resistant bacterial biofilms.
Aptamer design & mechanism: Six DNA aptamers were selected against S. aureus biofilm cells; one lead aptamer (SA31) showed high affinity for the bacteria. Researchers decorated antibiotic-loaded liposomes with this aptamer. The aptamer-coated liposomes bind and accumulate in the bacterial biofilm matrix, concentrating antibiotics at the site of infection.

In vitro, a combination of vancomycin and rifampicin delivered via these targeted liposomes eradicated MRSA biofilms within 24 hours – a promising strategy to overcome biofilm-related antibiotic resistance.
Institution: Aarhus University, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center
(iNANO), Denmark.
Source: Ommen et al., Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. (2022) – DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2022.814340.

Optimer Aptamer for Targeted siRNA Delivery in Liver Fibrosis (2024)

Disease area: Liver fibrosis (e.g. NASH or cirrhosis). In a recent industry collaboration, Aptamer Group plc (UK) and AstraZeneca explored an aptamer-enabled delivery platform for gene therapy.
Aptamer design & mechanism: Aptamer Group’s proprietary “Optimer” aptamers were selected to target fibrotic liver cells. These aptamers are conjugated to a non-viral nanoparticle carrying a small interfering RNA (siRNA) payload. The aptamer-based nanocarrier binds selectively to liver stellate cells (key drivers of fibrosis), facilitating cellular uptake of the siRNA.

This targeted approach aims to silence pro-fibrotic genes only in diseased liver tissue. Preclinical studies showed effective siRNA delivery into target cells, addressing a major challenge in RNA therapeutics.
Institution/Company: Aptamer Group plc (UK) in partnership with AstraZeneca.
Source: Aptamer Group–AstraZeneca collaboration announcement, Contract Pharma (2024).

Aptamers: Revolutionizing Targeted Drug Delivery and Controlled Release

In recent years, aptamer drug delivery systems have emerged as a cutting-edge approach for targeted therapy and controlled release. These short nucleic acid ligands (often called “chemical antibodies”) can be engineered to bind disease biomarkers with high specificity, enabling the creation of aptamer-based nanocarriers that home in on target cells or tissues. The above examples highlight how aptamers are powering a new generation of precision therapeutics – from aptamer-guided nanoparticles in oncology to targeted antibiotic delivery for superbugs and organ-specific gene therapy.
Such advances demonstrate the unique advantages of aptamers in drug delivery. Unlike conventional antibodies, aptamers are smaller,
non-immunogenic, and easily modifiable, allowing them to be attached to various delivery vehicles (liposomes, polymeric micelles, hydrogels) without losing targeting ability. Aptamer-based nanocarriers can navigate biological barriers and release drugs at the intended site of action, minimizing systemic side effects. For instance, scientists have developed aptamer-functionalized hydrogels that only release their drug load in the presence of a specific molecular trigger – e.g. an aptamer-crosslinked gel that dissolves upon binding a cancer metabolite, achieving smart controlled release. Similarly, brain-targeting RNA aptamers have enabled unprecedented delivery of therapeutics across the blood–brain barrier, vastly improving uptake in the brain over antibody approaches.

These breakthroughs in targeted therapy underscore the potential of custom-designed aptamers in achieving precise drug delivery. Biotech innovators and pharmaceutical companies are now leveraging custom aptamer design to create bespoke targeted treatments – whether it’s an aptamer-guided siRNA therapy for liver disease or a tumor-seeking aptamer conjugated to a chemotherapy drug. The term “aptamer drug delivery” is quickly becoming synonymous with precision medicine, as tailored aptamers enable drugs to reach the right cells at the right time.
Staying at the forefront of this trend, companies offering custom aptamer development are empowering researchers to translate these cutting-edge applications into real-world therapies. By harnessing aptamers’ versatility and affinity, drug developers can design targeted therapy solutions that deliver maximal therapeutic payload with minimal collateral damage. In summary, aptamers are revolutionizing targeted drug delivery and controlled release, opening new horizons for safer and more effective treatments in cancer, infectious disease, and beyond.

Food Inspection and Biosensors

In food safety, aptamers have emerged as powerful detection tools for contaminants such as mycotoxins, pathogens, and pesticide residues. Recent applications include the development of aptamer-based biosensors for detecting aflatoxin B1, a dangerous carcinogenic toxin found in contaminated food products. Aptamer-functionalized sensors employing quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology have demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional antibody-based assays (Food Chemistry, 2023).

Furthermore, aptamer biosensors have been successfully deployed for rapid onsite detection of pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, significantly improving food safety monitoring protocols and reducing detection time from days to mere minutes (Sensors and Actuators B, 2023).

Aptamer Food Diagnostics: Cutting-Edge Innovations in Food Safety

Aptamer-based diagnostics are revolutionizing food inspection, offering rapid and highly specific tests for contaminants, allergens, and pathogens. These nucleic acid “antibody mimics” enable aptamer food diagnostics that are faster, more stable, and easily customizable compared to traditional methods. Below we highlight three recent (2020–2024) innovations that demonstrate the power of aptamer biosensors for food safety.

Aptamer Lateral Flow Assay for Mycotoxin Detection

Researchers at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece) developed a lateral flow aptamer strip to detect Ochratoxin A (OTA), a toxic fungal contaminant, in food and drink samples. This aptamer-based biosensor uses a gold nanoparticle-labeled DNA aptamer on a nitrocellulose strip in a competitive format. In the presence of OTA, the aptamer binds the toxin instead of the test line, causing a visible color intensity decrease. The instrument-free test delivers results in ~20 minutes and successfully detected OTA in wine, beer, apple juice, and milk with high recovery (91–114%). This innovation showcases a portable, cost-effective aptamer lateral flow device for on-site screening of chemical contaminants in food.

Microfluidic Aptamer Chip for Foodborne Pathogen Detection

A 2023 study in China introduced an integrated microfluidic aptasensor chip for foodborne pathogen detection, targeting _Salmonella typhimurium_. The device employs biotin-tagged aptamers that bind Salmonella, coupled with an enzyme (HRP)-driven reaction to generate oxygen bubbles. This reaction propels red gold nanoparticles along a tiny serpentine channel, translating bacterial concentration into a measurable distance. The sample-to-answer microfluidic platform achieved highly sensitive Salmonella detection down to 3.7×10^1 CFU/mL with excellent specificity. By integrating sample prep and visual readout on-chip, this aptamer sensor exemplifies how lab-on-a-chip technology and aptamers can enable rapid on-site pathogen testing. Such an aptamer biosensor for food safety could be paired with smartphone-based analysis for convenient
field use.

Portable Aptamer Sensor for Allergen Detection

In the United States, DOTS Technology Corp (MA) and academic collaborators developed a point-of-care aptamer sensor to detect peanut allergens in foods. This novel aptamer-based platform targets the peanut protein Ara h1 and is proven robust across complex food matrices. The sensor can reliably detect peanut protein at concentrations as low as 12.5 ppm (equivalent to 37.5 μg in a sample). Importantly, the aptamer assay is integrated into a consumer-friendly portable device, allowing users (e.g. individuals with peanut allergies) to quickly test meals or snacks for trace allergens before eating. This cutting-edge allergen detector demonstrates how custom aptamers enable user-friendly food diagnostics, expanding testing beyond the lab to everyday settings.
Unlocking Food Safety with Aptamer Technology: These three examples underscore the transformative potential of aptamer-based diagnostics in food quality and safety. From rapid pathogen chips to allergen detectors, aptamer biosensors for food safety can match or surpass antibody-based tests in speed and stability. Aptamers’ low cost, high stability, and ease of design make them ideal for developing next-generation food safety diagnostics. Companies offering custom aptamer development services can leverage these innovations to create tailored solutions for foodborne pathogen detection, allergen screening, and contaminant monitoring – ensuring safer food from farm to fork.
Sources:
University of Athens – OTA aptamer lateral flow assay
Man et al. (2023) – Salmonella microfluidic aptasensor
DOTS Technology/Sci. Reports – Peanut allergen aptamer device