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. 2012 Sep 15;3(10):739–754. doi: 10.1007/s13238-012-2072-z

Aptamer-based molecular imaging

Tianjiao Wang 1,✉, Judhajeet Ray 1
PMCID: PMC4875349  PMID: 22983904

Abstract

Molecular imaging has greatly advanced basic biology and translational medicine through visualization and quantification of single/multiple molecular events temporally and spatially in a cellular context and in living organisms. Aptamers, short single-stranded nucleic acids selected in vitro to bind a broad range of target molecules avidly and specifically, are ideal molecular recognition elements for probe development in molecular imaging. This review summarizes the current state of aptamer-based biosensor development (probe design and imaging modalities) and their application in imaging small molecules, nucleic acids and proteins mostly in a cellular context with some animal studies. The article is concluded with a brief discussion on the perspective of aptamer-based molecular imaging.

Keywords: aptamer, imaging, small molecule, nucleic acid, protein, biosensor

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