~ Our Research ~
Molecular recognition elements (MREs) are biomolecules such as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), RNA, small peptides and antibody fragments that can bind to user defined targets with high affinities and specificities. This binding property allows MREs to have a wide range of applications, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and biosensor applications. The identification of MREs can be achieved by using the process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). SELEX was first described by the Gold laboratory in 1990. This process begins with a large library of 10^9 to 10^15 different random molecules, molecules that bind to the user defined target or positive target are enriched in the process. Subsequently, this process can be modified and tailored to direct the enriched library away from binding to related targets or negative targets, and thus increasing the specificity.
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