Aptamers from random sequence space: Accomplishments, gaps and future considerations

Aptamers are molecular recognition elements made of nucleic acids. Diverse synthetic aptamers have been discovered in a large number of SELEX experiments since 1990. This review begins with the analysis of these SELEX experiments by examining the range of targets as well as the affinity and specificity for these targets by DNA, RNA or modified nucleic acid aptamers generated from these experiments. This is followed by comparisons of synthetic …