Aptamers in bioanalytical chemistry: current trends in development and application

Since their discovery, aptamers have steadily gained recognition as versatile molecular probes, with their significance further underscored by their inclusion in IUPAC’s Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry in 2024. Generated through the in vitro selection process, these oligonucleotides combine high specificity, synthetic versatility, and structural adaptability, enabling diverse applications in diagnostics, biosensing, and targeted therapeutics. While early expectations positioned aptamers as direct competitors to antibodies, practical challenges—such as susceptibility to nucleases and limited functionality in complex biological environments—have prompted a strategic shift toward specialized applications. Recent innovations highlight their unique strengths, including electrochemical biosensing, integration with dynamic DNA networks for signal amplification, and targeting membrane proteins or intracellular molecules. Rather than directly replacing antibodies, aptamers are increasingly being utilized in areas where their structural flexibility and programmability provide distinct advantages. This review discusses recent advancements in aptamer selection and explores emerging applications that harness their unique capabilities. By analyzing the evolving landscape of aptamer-based technologies, we highlight key opportunities for further development and translation into practical bioanalytical and biomedical solutions.