Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
Single Molecule Detection
with an Aptamer-Integrated Nanopore
Li-Qun Gu
Abstract Aptamers, also called “synthetic” antibodies, are a broad class of
engineered oligonucleotides that can specifically bind targets with high affinity.
Upon binding, these powerful molecules can form complex three-dimensional
structures and possess sophisticated functions to inhibit pathogen protein, catalyze
chemical reactions, controlling gene expression, and regulate cellular functions.
These can be therefore potentially applied as tools for exploring biological systems
and medical diagnosis. Nanopore detection technology, on the other hand, can
“visually” capture the dynamic binding of a single molecule to a ligand in a
nanometer-scaled pore through the discrete changes in conductance upon binding.
This ability to track single molecule kinetics has made the nanopore a promising
single molecule detector. This chapter will be focused on the use of nanopores as a
research tool that can be combined with laboratory nanofabrication, bio-friendly
surface engineering and site-directed protein engineering to understand aptamer
folding process, the interaction between a single aptamer and its target, and to
develop aptamer-encoded nanopore sensors for medical and bio-defense detection.
Keywords G-quadruplex aptamers Protein detection with aptamer-encoded
nanopore IgE Ricin Ion-regulated switching of aptamer structure
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