Methods for generating structure-switching aptamers and uses thereof
The subject invention provides methods, assays, and products for detecting small-molecule targets in a complex sample in both clinical and field settings. The subject invention provides aptamer-based sensors and methods of use thereof. The subject invention provides exonuclease-based methods for generating structure-switching aptamers from fully folded or pre-folded aptamers and developing aptamer-based sensors for small-molecule detection. The method for detecting one or more small-molecule targets in a sample comprises contacting the sample with one or more aptamer-based sensor selective for each of the small-molecule targets, and detecting the small-molecule target in the sample.
1. An aptamer-based sensor comprising SCA-1.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 40).
2. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 1 , which is an electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensor.
3. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 1 , comprising an electrode.
4. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 3 , the electrode being functionalized by SCA-1.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 40).
5. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 3 , the electrode being made of gold, silver, or platinum.
6. A method for detecting a cathinone in a sample comprising the steps of:
contacting the sample with the aptamer-based sensor of claim 1 ; and
detecting the cathinone in the sample, the detection comprising measuring a signal generated upon binding of the cathinone with the aptamer-based sensor.
7. The method according to claim 6 , the sample being a biological sample or an environmental sample.
8. The method according to claim 7 , the biological sample being selected from blood, plasma, urine, tears, and saliva.
9. The method according to claim 6 , the method further comprising determining the concentration of the cathinone in the sample.
10. The method according to claim 6 , the signal being an increase in current.
11. An aptamer-based sensor comprising SCA-2.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 39) and SCA-1.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 40 ).
12. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 11 , which is an electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensor.
13. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 11 , comprising an electrode.
14. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 13 , the electrode being surface-functionalized by SCA-2.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 39) and SCA-1.1-34-MB (SEQ ID NO: 40).
15. The aptamer-based sensor of claim 13 , the electrode being made of gold, silver, or platinum.
16. A method for detecting a cathinone in a sample comprising the steps of:
contacting the sample with the aptamer-based sensor of claim 11 ; and
detecting the cathinone in the sample, the detection comprising measuring a signal generated upon binding of the cathinone with the aptamer-based sensor.
17. The method according to claim 16 , the sample being a biological sample or an environmental sample.
18. The method according to claim 17 , the biological sample being selected from blood, plasma, urine, tears, and saliva.
19. The method according to claim 16 , the method further comprising determining the concentration of the cathinone in the sample.
20. The method according to claim 16 , the signal being an increase in current.