Molecular Aptamer Beacons and Their Applications in Sensing, Imaging, and Diagnostics

Abstract

The ability to monitor types, concentrations, and activities of different biomolecules is essential to obtain information about the molecular processes within cells. Successful monitoring requires a sensitive and selective tool that can respond to these molecular changes. Molecular aptamer beacon (MAB) is a molecular imaging and detection tool that enables visualization of small or large molecules by combining the selectivity and sensitivity of molecular beacon and aptamer technologies. MAB design leverages structure switching and specific recognition to yield an optical on/off switch in the presence of the target. Various donor–quencher pairs such as fluorescent dyes, quantum dots, carbon‐based materials, and metallic nanoparticles have been employed in the design of MABs. In this work, the diverse biomedical applications of MAB technology are focused on. Different conjugation strategies for the energy donor–acceptor pairs are addressed, and the overall sensitivities of each detection system are discussed. The future potential of this technology in the fields of biomedical research and diagnostics is also highlighted.

Olax scandens Mediated Biogenic Synthesis of Ag-Cu Nanocomposites: Potential Against Inhibition of Drug-Resistant Microbes

“…Metallic nanoparticles have found diversified applications in the area of electronics, food, and, most profoundly, several biomedical-related fields, especially for their antimicrobial potential and also for their use as a diagnostic tool (Klebowski et al, 2018;Kumar et al, 2018;Azharuddin et al, 2019;Moutsiopoulou et al, 2019). The nano-sized metal-based particles have also been considered as promising tools for targeted drug delivery (Patra et al, 2018), imaging (Chen et al, 2018), sensors (Colino et al, 2018), synthetic inhibitors (Ma et al, 2018), etc.…”

Recent advances in aptamer applications for analytical biochemistry

“…There are now more than 30 reports in PubMed indexed to aptamer beacons in the title and/or abstract, seven of which have been published in the past five years and include a review in 2019 by Moutsiopoulou et al [ 38 ]. Of these recent examples, the three given in the next paragraphs were selected because they involve detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which—as an analyte—has been the subject of at least 11 reports during 2019–April 2020 in PubMed having ATP and aptamer in the title.…”

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better: Can Aptamers Replace Antibodies in Clinical Diagnostic Applications?

“…However, there are many new and upcoming areas of development for which aptamers could potentially lead the charge in advancement. These would include rapid diagnostics using lateral flow devices [60], microfluidics [61], and biosensors [54,62]. Indeed, one area where aptamers could truly change practice and have an impact is in the diagnosis of bacterial strains, especially in the era of antimicrobial resistance.…”