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Full-Text Articles in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
Functionalized Aptamers For Detection Of Small-Molecule Targets, Haixiang Yu
Functionalized Aptamers For Detection Of Small-Molecule Targets, Haixiang Yu
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Aptamers have recently gained considerable attention for small-molecule detection in diverse applications such as drug identification, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. However, the performance of aptamer-based sensors has been greatly limited by the low target affinity and responsiveness of small-molecule binding aptamers. This dissertation describes several novel aptamer engineering and isolation strategies to remedy this problem. Specifically, we first develop a generally applicable strategy to engineer split aptamers containing two binding domains termed cooperative-binding split aptamers (CBSAs). CBSAs exhibit higher target binding affinity and are far more responsive in terms of target-induced split aptamer assembly compared to single-domain parent split …
Aptamer-Based Assay For Detection Of Ochratoxin A, Amanda Nicole Bartley
Aptamer-Based Assay For Detection Of Ochratoxin A, Amanda Nicole Bartley
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent mycotoxin found in a wide range of agricultural products that has been linked to mitochondrial damage and renal disease. The standard methods for OTA analysis currently rely on the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to fluorescence detection or mass spectrometry. Toward a highthroughput analysis of OTA, a single-stranded DNA aptamer, modified with a fluorophore, coupled to a complementary sequence, modified with a FRET-based quencher that dissociates in the presence of the target toxin, is proposed. In order to integrate “target trapping,” aptamer immobilization methods were explored to mediate interference issues. Assays were …