Functional Nucleic Acids for Analytical Applications (Integrated Analytical Systems)

Both DNA and RNA can serve purposes beyond simple genetic storage and transfer – for example, they can also be employed as enzymes (for catalysis) and receptors (for ligand binding). Increasingly, researchers are making interesting use of these molecules, now collectively called functional nucleic acids. This book, containing chapters written by leading experts in relevant fields, provides timely accounts of diverse analytical applications that take advantage of the functional nucleic acids. The book is written for academic, clinical and industrial scientists and graduate students who may consider exploring functional nucleic acids in their research or practice. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introductory Remarks....Pages 3-9 Natural Functional Nucleic Acids: Ribozymes and Riboswitches....Pages 11-46 Artificial Functional Nucleic Acids: Aptamers, Ribozymes, and Deoxyribozymes Identified by In Vitro Selection....Pages 47-108 Fluorescent Aptamer Sensors....Pages 111-130 Fluorescent Ribozyme and Deoxyribozyme Sensors....Pages 131-153 Colorimetric and Fluorescent Biosensors Based on Directed Assembly of Nanomaterials with Functional DNA....Pages 155-178 Electrochemical Approaches to Aptamer-Based Sensing....Pages 179-197 Amplified DNA Biosensors....Pages 199-252 Aptamers in Affinity Separations:Capillary Electrophoresis....Pages 255-270 Aptamers in Affinity Separations: Stationary Separation....Pages 271-286 Aptamer Microarrays....Pages 287-308 The Use of Functional Nucleic Acids in Solid-Phase Fluorimetric Assays....Pages 309-342 Functional Nucleic Acid Sensors as Screening Tools....Pages 343-354 Nucleic Acids for Computation....Pages 355-375 DNAzymes in DNA Nanomachines and DNA Analysis....Pages 377-388 Back Matter....Pages 389-395

Nature has long used nucleic acid aptamers and enzymes for regulatory activities, such as the recently discovered “riboswitches” involved in gene expression. The existence of a large array of natural and artificial functional nucleic acids has generated tremendous enthusiasm and new opportunities for molecular scientists from diverse disciplines to devise new concepts and real applications that take advantage of those nucleic acids for sensing and other analytical applications. This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of recent advances in the field, from leading experts in biology, chemistry, and engineering. A variety of topics are covered, from fundamentals of functional nucleic acids, to their applications as sensors, to nanotechnologies; as well as integration of functional nucleic acids into practical analytical systems.

"Both DNA and RNA can serve purposes beyond simple genetic storage and transfer - for example, they can also be employed as enzymes (for catalysis) and receptors (for ligand binding). Increasingly, researchers are making Interesting use of these molecules, now collectively called functional nucleic acids. This book, containing chapters written by leading experts in relevant fields, provides timely accounts of diverse analytical applications that take advantage of the functional nucleic acids. The book is written for academic, clinical and industrial scientists and graduate students who may consider exploring functional nucleic acids in their research or practice."--Jacket