E-Book Overview
This volume provides protocol references covering recent developments in the aptamer field. Within the last decade, aptamers have become more and more popular, and their sophisticated biophysical properties together with their ability to be easily modified and, thus, adapted to various regimens makes them a very promising class of compounds. Divided into three sections, the book covers selection, a series of analytical methods to assess biophysical properties of aptamer-target interactions, as well as various applications of aptamers. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Practical and easy to follow, Nucleic Acid Aptamers: Selection, Characterization, and Application provides a state-of-the-art summary of recent developments in the aptamer field and will be a helpful resource for scientists in the life sciences working with aptamers as tools to elucidate biological systems.
E-Book Content
Methods in Molecular Biology 1380
Günter Mayer Editor
Nucleic Acid Aptamers Selection, Characterization, and Application
METHODS
IN
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Series Editor John M. Walker School of Life and Medical Sciences University of Hertfordshire Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
For further volumes: http://www.springer.com/series/7651
Nucleic Acid Aptamers Selection, Characterization, and Application
Edited by
Günter Mayer University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Editor Günter Mayer University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
ISSN 1064-3745 ISSN 1940-6029 (electronic) Methods in Molecular Biology ISBN 978-1-4939-3196-5 ISBN 978-1-4939-3197-2 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4939-3197-2 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015956601 Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper Humana Press is a brand of Springer Springer Science+Business Media LLC New York is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface Aptamers are short, single chained nucleic acids that fold into a well-defined threedimensional shape, upon which a target molecule is recognized by high affinity and specificity. Since their very first description in 1990, a plethora of aptamers have been developed, characterized, and applied. Aptamers that recognize small molecules, proteins, and even targets on cell surfaces have been selected and applied for different purposes. Within the last decade, aptamers have become more and more popular,