Aptamers against
Compositions comprising aptamers capable of specifically binding to a surface protein of Clostridium difficile spore are provided. A method for detecting, enriching, separating, and/or isolating Clostridium difficile spores is provided.
1. An aptamer having a specific binding affinity for a surface protein of Clostridium difficile spore, wherein the aptamer comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 11, and wherein the surface protein is CotE.
2. The aptamer of claim 1 , wherein the surface protein CotE comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16.
3. The aptamer of claim 1 , wherein the aptamer comprises a detectable label.
4. The aptamer of claim 3 , wherein the detectable label comprises a fluorophore.
5. The aptamer of claim 4 , wherein the fluorophore comprises a quantum dot.
6. An apparatus for detecting the presence, absence or level of Clostridium difficile spores in a sample, the apparatus comprising:
a support; and
an aptamer having a specific binding affinity for a surface protein of Clostridium difficile spore, wherein the aptamer comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 11 having a binding affinity to CotE.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the aptamer comprises a detectable label.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the detectable label comprises a fluorophore.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the fluorophore comprises a quantum dot.
10. A composition comprising an aptamer having a specific binding affinity for a surface protein of Clostridium difficile spore, wherein the aptamer comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 11 having a binding affinity to CotE.
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the aptamer comprises a detectable label.
12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the detectable label comprises a fluorophore.
13. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the fluorophore comprises a quantum dot.