Our research efforts focus on the development of diagnostic sensors, specifically for bacterial detection. The sensor idea is based on DNA aptamers which are artificial, single-stranded DNA molecules typically shorter than 100 nucleotides. Aptamers continue to be widely used for analytical detection and diagnostic applications as they display the ability to bind and therefore identify specific target molecules with very high selectivity. Aptamers were selected from a very large, random pool through a process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential amplification (SELEX) assisted by graphene oxide. Specifically, aptamers were identified with potential high affinity to p57 or Major Soluble Antigen (MSA). This protein is the principal antigen found on the surface of <i>Renibacterium salmoninarum</i> responsible for bacterial kidney disease in salmonids. The aptamer pool was developed to target the R2c sub construct from region 2 of the protein which contains a putative DNA-binding domain and therefore is believed to be a good binding site. Following sequencing, several aptamers were identified as potential candidates for sensor development application. Binding assays are in progress to determine their affinity to the R2c site.

Characterization of DNA aptamers for sensor development

255th National Meeting (2018)

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