In The Aptamer Handbook, leading scientists from academia as well as biotech and pharma companies introduce the revolutionary concept of designing RNA and DNA oligonucleotides with novel functions by in vitro selection. These functions comprise high affinity binding (aptamers), catalytic activity (ribozymes and deoxyribozymes) or combinations of binding and catalytic properties (aptazymes). Basic concepts and technologies describing in detail how these functional oligonucleotides can be identified are presented. Numerous examples demonstrate the versatility of in vitro selected oligonucleotides. Special emphasis has been put on a section that shows the broad applicability of aptamers, e. g. in target validation, for analytics, or as new therapeutics. This first overview in the field is of prime interest for a broad audience of scientists both in academia and in industry who wish to expand their knowledge on the potential of new oligonucleotide functions and their applications.
About the Author
Sven Klussmann is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of NOXXON Pharma AG, Berlin. He is a Biochemist by training and his initial studies were carried out at the Freie Universitat Berlin, where he obtained his academic degrees. Dr. Klussmann received the Carl Ramsauer Award for his dissertation in which he demonstrated the principles of the Spiegelmer Technology, a new approach to identify biostable mirror-image oligonucleotides (so-called Spiegelmers) that can bind with high affinity to target molecules. He has authored more than 30 articles and 40 patents on oligonucleotides and their applications.
