Structural Biology for Aptamer Engineering

🔍Discover how structural biology is advancing aptamer engineering for precision biosensing
🧬Did you know that tiny strands of DNA can be engineered to act as highly specific biosensors? These molecules, known as aptamers, can detect target molecules with high precision. However, designing aptamers is no easy feat. It requires a deep understanding of molecular dynamics and the complex interactions within living organisms.
🌟Prof. Nakatsuka highlights the essential role of structural biology in aptamer engineering. Molecular dynamics simulations are a powerful tool for visualizing the structural switches of aptamers and identifying potential binding sites for target molecules. These simulations offer valuable information for understanding the molecular interactions involved in aptamer-target recognition. However, these findings need to be validated through experimental approaches.
🔦One such method is FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer), which measures the proximity between molecules by tracking energy transfer between two light-sensitive molecules (fluorophores). By attaching fluorophores to specific sites on the aptamer, such as its two ends, FRET can measure energy transfer between these fluorophores, revealing whether the aptamer bends or undergoes other structural rearrangements upon target binding.
🧠By combining structural biology, molecular dynamic simulations, and techniques like FRET, researchers can predict and optimize the behavior of DNA sequences as biosensors. Understanding these dynamics is key to advancing aptamer technology for clinical applications, such as for diagnostic purposes in neurological disorders.
Watch the full episode to learn more about the aptamers and how they are shaping the future of biosensing!
🔗 • Aptamers in Brain rese...
#Aptamers #StructuralBiology #Biosensors #MolecularDynamics #FRET #AptamerEngineering #biotech #DNA
This podcast is supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen as well as the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen.