The ability to sense serotonin, dopamine, and other important, small, neurochemical molecules in vivo will enable us to probe their complex influence on mood and behavior. Real time, high resolution in vivo neurochemical sensing is impeded by a lack of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring several physiological analytes and their interactions in the brain at relevant spatiotemporal scales. These measurements can give insight into neuronal interactions within chemical signaling pathways, but necessitate development of miniature, multiplexed, sensitive, and selective neuroprobes. Eight novel aptamer sequences have been isolated by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) and demonstrated selectivity for the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. We have characterized these sequences functionalized to FET biosensors as candidates for sensitive and selective neurotransmitter detection in vivo. Comparing primary sequences, predicted secondary structures, target-mediated changes in secondary structure, solution dissociation constants, and FET biosensor performance will inform the screening for aptamers selective to other small molecules found in the brain such as neuropeptides and steroid hormones.

Novel aptamer candidates for serotonin and dopamine field-effect transistor neurosensing

2019 Fall National Meeting

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