Application of Aptamers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The LADDER Group uses DNA aptamers to develop biosensors and therapeutics for various applications. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA/RNA oligonucleotides that bind to specific targets, such as viruses, proteins and small molecules. Aptamers are selected through a process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Throughout this experience, applications of aptamers to neurodegenerative diseases were explored, including the Use of Aptamers for Inhibition of Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation (Daniel Knight) and Aptamers for the Detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries (Sarah Larose).