Aptamers: When Molecular Evolution Exceeds Antibodies

Bol

Aptamers have long been overshadowed by antibodies. Although these two types of molecule are very similar in function, it is antibodies that have historically set the standard for molecular recognition. The application of aptamers has therefore remained less widespread than that of antibodies, but recent advances in their design and use make them excellent alternatives to antibodies. Aptamers thus have real potential in a wide range of applications, from basic research to clinical use, notably as therapeutic molecules and detection tools. These oligonucleotides, with no proven toxicity, are distinguished by their extreme specificity and high affinity for their target molecule. They are capable not only of differentiating between molecules of very similar structure, but also between two conformations of the same protein. In this book, we present the structural and functional characteristics of aptamers, as well as their promising applications in the detection of avian viruses.

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Pages: 88, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing