Researchers have developed DNA aptamers for detecting atropine and timolol maleate in ocular fluid. This breakthrough addresses the limitations of traditional methods for monitoring these low-concentration eye disease treatments, enabling personalized medicine and improving drug delivery efficacy.

Aptamer-modified NK cells (ApEn-NK) are created by chemically anchoring CD30-specific aptamers to the surface of NK cells. These modified cells can specifically target and kill lymphoma cells without reacting with off-target cells. This approach requires no gene editing or cellular damage, offering a novel method for NK cell-targeted immunotherapy.

The novel DNA aptamer, Aptamin C, enhances the antioxidant efficacy of Vitamin C by binding to its reduced form, thereby delaying oxidation. Clinical test results indicate that it can significantly improve skin wrinkles, boost skin hydration, and reduce skin irritation. This makes Aptamin C a promising cosmeceutical ingredient suitable for various skin conditions.

Aptamer-engineered nanomaterials offer several advantages, including reduced cytotoxicity, enhanced stability, improved selectivity/sensitivity, and the versatility to expand into various biomedical applications.

Aptamer-conjugated bacteria have shown enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and targeted tumor localization, potentially improving cancer biotherapy.

Current diagnostic methods for dengue fever, such as serological tests, have limitations regarding cross-reactivity with other viruses. A novel dengue virus diagnostic method, combining aptamer technology with Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), has shown extremely high specificity with no cross-reactivity observed when tested against other viral samples, including Zika virus.

A wearable cortisol aptamer sensor can detect cortisol levels as low as approximately 1 nM from real sweat within minutes, making it a flexible and rapid method for monitoring stress hormones.

While aptamers offer advantages over antibodies in biosensors, hybrid biosensing approaches that combine both elements are valuable, indicating they are complementary rather than competitive.

Successful aptamer selection depends on factors such as target size, stringency, amplification, regeneration, sequencing, and quality control. Optimizing these elements can significantly enhance success rates in diagnostic and medical applications.

Latest advancements in aptamer screening, molecular conformation, and therapeutic applications offer great promise for food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics.

Based on aptamers, a disposable biosensor utilizing double-stranded aptamers, which are bound to the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via Au-S bonds, is employed as a sensor probe in a lateral flow assay (LFA) device. This setup enables rapid, non-invasive salivary cortisol detection with high selectivity for related steroids and stress biomarkers.

Aptamers show promise as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for rheumatic diseases, with potential for both diagnostic assays and targeted therapies.

Aptamers can replace antibodies in clinical diagnostics due to their superior specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, along with their potential for rapid, cost-effective detection with minimal procedural changes.

Nucleic acid aptamers show promise in cancer research due to their specificity, stability, and versatility in binding to target molecules, contributing to biomarker discovery, diagnosis, and therapy.

Recent advancements in SELEX technology have boosted the efficiency of aptamer selection. Aptamers are now being applied across various biomedical fields, including disease diagnosis, targeted delivery, and therapeutics. However, their clinical translation still faces challenges.