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Aptamer Moieties in Biochemical Applications

  1. Michael J. Donovan1,
  2. Ling Meng1,
  3. Basri Gulbakan1,
  4. Yan Chen1,2,
  5. Parag Parekh1,
  6. Kwame Sefah1,
  7. Weihong Tan1,2

Published Online: 15 MAR 2012

DOI: 10.1002/9780470661345.smc180

Book Title

Supramolecular Chemistry: From Molecules to Nanomaterials

Supramolecular Chemistry: From Molecules to Nanomaterials

Additional Information

How to Cite

Donovan, M. J., Meng, L., Gulbakan, B., Chen, Y., Parekh, P., Sefah, K. and Tan, W. 2012. Aptamer Moieties in Biochemical Applications. Supramolecular Chemistry: From Molecules to Nanomaterials.

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

  2. 2

    Hunan University, Changsha, China

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 15 MAR 2012
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Aptamers developed for applications in cancer therapy can improve the efficacy of drug treatment and enhance imaging. Aptamers for these purposes are generated from a process known as SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), or, more precisely when biological cells are used, cell-based SELEX. Aptamers provide a highly target-specific means of transporting drugs to cancer cells. Improved imaging is also possible when aptamers are coupled with micelles, nanomaterials, or hydrogels. These aptamer conjugates show great ability as molecular probes in a variety of applications.

Keywords: aptamers; molecular conjugate; cancer cells; drug development; conjugation

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