Recent advances in aptamer applications for analytical biochemistry

Aptamers are typically defined as relatively short (20-60 nucleotides) single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that bind with high affinity and specificity to various types of targets. Aptamers are frequently referred to as "synthetic antibodies" but are easier to obtain, less expensive to produce, and in several ways more versatile than antibodies. The beginnings of aptamers date back to 1990, and since then there has been a continual increase in aptamer publications. The intent of the present account was to focus on recent original research publications, i.e., those appearing in 2019 through Apri l 2020, when this account was written. A Google Scholar search of this recent literature was performed for relevance-ranking of articles. New methods for selection of aptamers were not included. Nine categories of applications were organized and representative examples of each are given. Finally, an outlook is offered focusing on "faster, better, cheaper" application performance factors as key drivers for future innovations in aptamer applications.