Aptamer–nanoparticle complexes as powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tools

Correct diagnosis and successful therapy are extremely important to enjoy a healthy life when suffering from a disease. To achieve these aims, various cutting-edge technologies have been designed and fabricated to diagnose and treat specific diseases. Among these technologies, aptamer–nanomaterial hybrids have received considerable attention from scientists and doctors because they have numerous advantages over other methods, such as good biocompatibility, low immunogenicity and controllable selectivity. In particular, aptamers, oligonucleic acids or peptides that bind to a specific target molecule, are regarded as outstanding biomolecules. In this review, several screening techniques for aptamers, also called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) methods, are introduced, and diagnostic and therapeutic aptamer applications are also presented. Furthermore, we describe diverse aptamer–nanomaterial conjugate designs and their applications for diagnosis and therapy. A wide variety ofnanoparticle complexes that target specific biomolecules are revolutionizing disease diagnostics and therapies. Hunho Jo and Changill Ban at Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea, reviewed recent advances into the medical uses of aptamerscomplexed with nanoparticles. Aptamers arepeptides or small sections of DNA or RNA that can target and bind to specific chemicals in the body. In a complex, they effectively act as guides escorting nanoparticles to the places where they are needed. For example, aptamers can lead fluorescent nanoparticles to cancer cells to ensure clear imaging and diagnosis of tumors. The authors describe several promising aptamer-nanoparticle complexes, including probes for detecting cocaine and diagnosing breast cancer,as well asa drug delivery system that targets specific brain cells and may provide a therapy for Alzheimer's disease.