Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermocycler for aptamer selection

生物传感器是疾病诊断和环境监测的重要工具。蛋白质酶和抗体是生物传感器设计的传统分子选择。然而，近年来适体正在成为一种有用的替代方法。适配体是一种单链核酸，能够以高亲和力和特异性结合靶分子。与抗体相比，适体具有相似或更好的结合性能，但成本更低，稳定性更高，更容易修饰。然而，具有所有这些特性的适体目前还没有用于实际疾病诊断。首席研究员（PI）的目标是通过了解适体结合的基本分子相互作用，开发新的适体选择方法，用于重要代谢物和环境污染物，并在血清和环境样品中进行检测，推动适体的实际应用。在适体选择中，一个关键步骤是聚合酶链反应（PCR），它允许以指数扩增具有所需结合特性的DNA序列。实时PCR是监测PCR过程的最先进技术，因此对PCR条件的优化和故障排除具有很高的价值。PI小组每天需要优化PCR条件，这种实时PCR热循环仪可以显著提高研究组的生产力。如果可能延迟获得该仪器，将对PI组产生很大的不利影响，特别是在其早期开发阶段。学生将被训练使用这种仪器，并成为这种技术的专家。训练有素的学生将有资格在分析实验室，生物技术公司和学术界的职位。这项研究可能会产生有用的传感器，可以改善医疗保健、环境保护和生活质量。

Biosensors are important tools for disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. Protein enzymes and antibodies are the traditional molecules of choice for biosensor design. In recent years, however, aptamers are emerging as a useful alternative. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that can bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Compared to antibodies, aptamers have similar or better binding performance, but are lower in cost, higher in stability, and easier to modify. With all these attributes, however, no aptamer is currently used in practical disease diagnosis. The Principal Investigator (PI) aims to push practical applications of aptamers by understanding fundamental molecular interactions in aptamer binding, developing new aptamer selection methods for important metabolites and environmental contaminants, and performing detections in serum and environmental samples. In aptamer selection, a critical step is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which allows exponential amplification of DNA sequences with desired binding properties. Real time PCR is the state-of-the-art technique for monitoring the PCR process and thus is highly valuable for optimization of PCR conditions and troubleshooting. The PI's group needs to optimize PCR conditions on a daily basis and this real time PCR thermocycler can increase the productivity of the research group significantly. A possible delay in acquiring this instrument will have a large adverse effect on the PI's group, especially at its early development stage. Students will be trained to use this instrument and become experts in this technique. Trained students will be qualified for positions in analytical laboratories, biotechnological companies and in academics. The research is likely to produce useful sensors that can improve health care, environmental protection, and the quality of life.