Aptamers are strands of DNA or RNA molecules, chemically synthetized and able to bind a wide range of targets, from small molecules to live cells, and even tissues, with high affinity and specificity. Due to their efficient targeting ability, they have many different kinds of applications. Particularly attractive is their use in biotechnology and disease therapy, in substitution of antibodies. They represent a promising way for early diagnosis (aptasensors), but also for delivering imaging agents and drugs and for inhibiting specific proteins (therapeutic aptamers). Starting by briefly reviewing the most recent literature concerning advances in biomedical applications of aptamers and aptasensors, the focus is on the issues of a theoretical/computational framework (proteotronics) for modelling the electrical properties of biomolecules. Some recent results of proteotronics concerning the electrical, topological and affinity properties of aptamers are reviewed.

Modelling and Development of Electrical Aptasensors: A Short Review

Cataldo, Rosella
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Leuzzi, Maria
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Alfinito, Eleonora
Membro del Collaboration Group
2018-01-01

Abstract

Aptamers are strands of DNA or RNA molecules, chemically synthetized and able to bind a wide range of targets, from small molecules to live cells, and even tissues, with high affinity and specificity. Due to their efficient targeting ability, they have many different kinds of applications. Particularly attractive is their use in biotechnology and disease therapy, in substitution of antibodies. They represent a promising way for early diagnosis (aptasensors), but also for delivering imaging agents and drugs and for inhibiting specific proteins (therapeutic aptamers). Starting by briefly reviewing the most recent literature concerning advances in biomedical applications of aptamers and aptasensors, the focus is on the issues of a theoretical/computational framework (proteotronics) for modelling the electrical properties of biomolecules. Some recent results of proteotronics concerning the electrical, topological and affinity properties of aptamers are reviewed.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11587/422516
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 12
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 10
social impact