In: Biology
Ans. Aptamers are the small single stranded sequences of DNA / RNA being used to specifically bind the analytes to detect the analytes/ target in the sample. Thus aptamers can be used as recognition element/ detecting agent/ receptor in the biosensors/ analytic devices. For this, aptamers need to be fixed/ immobilized on a surface.
Immobilization of aptamer can be done by several methods mainly by covalent cross linking or by adsorption of aptamer on the substrate/ surface or modified/ treated surface.
1. Attachment od aptamer to gold particle/ film with help of linkers or on the modified surface like silica/ silica oxide by covalent bonding.
2. Biotin labelled aptamers can be attached to avidin/ steptavidin/ neutravidin protein coated surfaces like magnetic beads/ gold nanoparticles/ gold films etc based on the type to transducer/ detector being used. Because biotin strongly binds non-covalently with strepavidin, thats why it can be used to immobilize the biotinylated aptamers. The dissociation constant for biotin (vitamin7 or vitamin H ) with streptavidin is around 10-15 mol/L.
Thus immobilization of biotinylated aptamer on the strepavidin coated surfaces/ columns/ naniparticles/ films is the better option.