Title: An aptamer-biosensor for azole class antifungal drugs,
Abstract: This report describes the development of an aptamer for sensing azole
antifungal drugs for therapeutic drug monitoring. Modified Synthetic Evolution
of Ligands through Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) was used to discover a DNA
aptamer recognizing azole class antifungal drugs. This aptamer undergoes a
secondary structural change upon binding to its target molecule as shown
through fluorescence anisotropy-based binding measurements. Experiments using
circular dichroism spectroscopy, revealed a unique double G-quadruplex
structure that was essential and specific for binding to the azole antifungal
target. Aptamer-functionalized Graphene Field Effect Transistor (GFET) devices
were created and used to measure the binding of strength of azole antifungals
to this surface. In total this aptamer and the supporting sensing platform
could provide a valuable tool for improving the treatment of patients with
invasive fungal infections.