Fluorescent modifications in aptamer switches-positional, structural, and neighboring pair effects on sensor performance.

ABSTRACT: Aptamers are modular nucleic acid ligands increasingly used as recognition elements in biosensors for precision medicine. Their structure facilitates their adaptation into fluorescent switches through molecular design and conjugation with reporter molecules, which are typically selected based on optimal photophysical compatibility. However, a critical challenge persists: reporter molecules are not inert; their structure and underlying conjugation chemistry can introduce structural perturbations that adversely affect aptamer functional properties and DNA-duplex stability, subsequently impacting biosensing performance. Here, we evaluate the effect of fluorophore-quencher modifications by probing the interplay between reporter identity, local environment, and labeling positions within differe

SUBMITTER: Li AZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700101 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature