Constrained Optimer structures for increased performance
Constraining an Optimer to a specific structure confers various benefits to the ligand that researchers can use for increased assay performance.
Constrained Optimer structures
Optimer binders are single-stranded oligonucleotides that can fold into diverse secondary structures.
Optimer binders take different secondary structures. Constraining this structure to specific motifs can offer important benefits for improved performance.
Constraining this secondary structure to a specific motif forms, in essence, a scaffold, with certain loops available for target interaction. This works in the same way as an antibody, with the binding loops of the Optimer being analogous to an antibody’s complementarity determining regions. Differing sequences, different loop sizes, and the potential to use either DNA or RNA sequences add further diversity to the library of structurally constrained Optimer binders.
This diversity within the constrained Optimer library allows interaction with a wide range of target types.
Advantages of structurally constrained Optimers
Structurally constrained Optimer binders offer many advantages that can improve performance as research reagents, diagnostic tools and therapeutics:
- Thermodynamic stability
- Chemical stability
- Increased resistance to serum nucleases
- Enhanced cellular uptake
- Improved interactions with negatively charged targets
The improved stability of the structurally constrained Optimer binders provides researchers with more robust ligands to work across a broader range of assay conditions and potentially longer half-lives when used in vivo as therapeutics.
Increased cellular uptake could improve payload delivery to cells when used as delivery vehicles for targeted delivery or increased penetration for live cell imaging of intracellular targets.
Improved interaction with negatively charged targets increases the potential target space for Optimer binders.
Selecting the right structure for you
At Aptamer Group, we pride ourselves on discovering and developing the best Optimer for your needs. Within our Optimer toolkit, we have a variety of proprietary DNA and RNA libraries to ensure we deliver the most optimised binder. These include:
- Structurally constrained libraries
- Diverse structural libraries
- Libraries for small molecule targets
Dr David Bunka, Aptamer Group Chief Technical Officer, states the following:
“Selecting the best affinity ligand requires understanding the customer’s target, application, and selecting the best starting materials to ensure success. We bring our extensive expertise to work closely with our partners, incorporating all of these factors into each Optimer selection to maximise their success.”
Talk to one of our selection experts today to understand how we can work together to remove the limits from your research.