Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that fold into 3D structures capable of binding targets (proteins, small molecules, cells, or even complex particles) with high specificity and affinity. “Aptamer methods” usually refers to the full pipeline: library design → selection (SELEX) → enrichment monitoring → sequencing & bioinformatics → candidate optimization → biophysical/functional validation → stability engineering. Modern platforms improve speed and hit quality by combining smarter selection pressures with microfluidics and next-generation sequencing. 1) Core Aptamer Selection Method: SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment) 1.1 Classical SELEX workflow (baseline method) Start with a random oligonucleotide library (often 10^13–10^15 unique sequences) Incubate library with the target Partition bound vs unbound sequences Elute binders Amplify (PCR for DNA; RT-PCR + transcription for RNA) Repeat iterative rounds with increasing stringency until enrichment is achieved Why it works: each round increases the fraction of sequences that can bind under the imposed conditions (buffer, temperature, competitor molecules, etc.). Why it’s hard: classical SELEX can be slow, labor intensive, and prone to amplification bias—hence the rise of “advanced SELEX” platforms. 1.2 “Stringency engineering” (how you make aptamers useful) Selection success often depends less on the target itself…
Peptide therapeutics (sometimes called “peptide therapy” in popular health content) refers to the design and development of peptide-based medicines—short chains of amino acids engineered to treat, manage, or modify disease. Unlike vague wellness claims, therapeutic peptides in drug development are defined, characterized, and manufactured as medicinal products with measurable pharmacology, safety testing, and quality controls. Peptides occupy a practical middle ground between small molecules and large biologics: they can be highly selective like proteins while remaining more modular and tunable through chemical design. What Exactly Are Peptides in Medicine? A peptide is a molecule made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. In therapeutics, peptides are often sized to be large enough to recognize biological targets precisely, but small enough to be synthesized and optimized with medicinal chemistry approaches. Reviews describe peptide drugs as a distinct class with strengths such as specificity and structural versatility, alongside known limitations such as enzymatic breakdown and delivery barriers. Why Peptide Drugs Matter: The Biological “Sweet Spot” Peptide therapeutics are valuable because they can: Bind targets with high specificity (reducing off-target effects compared with many small molecules). Mimic or modulate natural signaling pathways, because many hormones and signaling mediators are peptide-like.…
