Aptamer-mediated nanoparticle interactions: from oligonucleotide-protein complexes to SELEX screens.

Aptamers are oligonucleotides displaying specific binding properties for a predetermined target. They can be easily immobilized on various surfaces such as nanoparticles. Functionalized particles can then be used to various aims.

Advances in binder identification and characterisation: the case of oligonucleotide aptamers.

Aptamers represent an important class of synthetic protein binders useful for proteome-wide applications. The identification and characterisation of such molecules have been greatly facilitated by the development of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Amplification (SELEX). Since then numerous advances and alternatives to improve efficient aptamer discovery have been reported.

HAPIscreen, a method for high-throughput aptamer identification.

Background: Aptamers are oligonucleotides displaying specific binding properties for a predetermined target. They are selected from libraries of randomly synthesized candidates through an in vitro selection process termed SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) alternating selection and amplification steps. SELEX is followed by cloning and sequencing of the enriched pool of oligonucleotides to enable comparison of the selected sequences.

Inhibition of rat liver fibrogenesis through noradrenergic antagonism.

The effect of adrenergic innervation and/or circulating catecholamines on the function of liver fibrogenic cells is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the effects of noradrenergic antagonism on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Two weeks of CCl4 induced an approximately 5-fold increase in the area of fibrosis as compared with controls.