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Aptamers

Best-in-class in oligonucleotide synthesis, we proudly provide customized solutions for Nucleic Acids Aptamers with top-quality assurance.

Since the first FDA-approved aptamer therapy in 2004 for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, in vitro systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) a well as bioconjugation to various moieties, such as siRNAs, imaging agents, nanoparticles and therapeutic drugs, have spawned several aptamers for translational applications in research, clinical diagnostics and therapeutics.

Chosen to characterize the "lock-and-key" nature of binding, the term "Aptamers" (Latin aptus, "to fit") was coined in the early 1990s to denote small molecules, typically consisting of 25-80 nucleotides, capable of tethering specific sides of their target molecules, such as peptides, proteins, small molecules or living cells, with high specificity and selectivity by using their entire length.

Over the past three decades, nucleic acids aptamers have attracted increasing interest due to their unique properties, ranging from lower production costs to ease of chemical modification and long-term stability. Essentially, these short, single-stranded DNA and RNA aptamers are chemically equivalent to monoclonal antibodies, but smaller in size, with reduced immunogenicity and costs. Interestingly, some aptamers possess internalization properties upon binding to specific cellular receptors, are easy to couple with specific vectors such as liposomes to form a targeted drug delivery system, but, most importantly, have been clinically proven as inhibitors, with great promise in the use of aptamer-siRNA chimeras and aptamer targeted nanoparticle therapeutics as targeting ligands for the treatment or diagnosis of cancer, HIV, and other diseases.

While the strong intrastrand RNA to RNA interactions allow RNA aptamers to form more stable 3D structures, the B-form helix structure enables DNA aptamers to exhibit better chemical and thermodynamic stability.

At metabion, we always strive to assist our customers with their cutting-edge scientific applications. We are pleased to offer you high-quality, tailor-made solutions for the synthesis of Nucleic Acids Aptamers.

Main features of our Aptamers:

All our Aptamers are scrupulously quality-controlled via Mass-Check analysis before release.
RNA Aptamers are HPLC-purified and mass-checked for highest quality.
You can choose among a seasoned selection of modifications from our DNA and RNA portfolio.

For more information and a quotation, contact us at info@metabion.com.

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