DNA aptamers have been widely studied as affinity reagents and in sensor development for small molecule, DNA, protein, and cellular targets, but have not been widely used in relation to materials chemistry. We have recently identified several new DNA aptamers selected for their ability to bind to biomaterials as well as promote and control biomaterials synthesis. These aptamers have been demonstrated to influence kinetics, morphology, and crystallinity of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate mineralization. They have also been shown to selectively label crystalline hydroxyapatite over amorphous calcium phosphate. Novel Precipitation SELEX as well as traditional affinity SELEX protocols were used in identifying these aptamers and mechanisms of interaction have focused around the prevalence for these aptamers to contain a high percent of G nucleotides, likely resulting in G-quadruplex secondary structure formation. Both heterogeneous and homogenous mineralization conditions have been studied and concentration-dependent enhancement or inhibition of mineralization has been observed. Current research efforts focus on implementing DNA aptamers into hierarchical structures and observing the influence of DNA aptamers in traditional collagen mineralization formats.

Selected DNA aptamers as mineralization templates and affinity reagents for calcium biomaterials

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.