Aptamer use in pre-natal cellular isolation for genetic testing

As part of the Eurostar-3 program Aptamer Group, Bioliquid Innovative Genetics and Anima Design of Spain were awarded 1.125 million Euro grant for their project proposal MIRACLE (Medical device to dIagnose  pRenatal and plACentaL disEases).  Using aptamers selected through Aptamer Group's optimization process, the devices will the aptamers to capture and isolate specific cell types to be isolated and analysed for diagnostic biomarkers from samples of the pregnant mother’s blood.  Non-target cell types will not be captured. 

This use of aptamers is interesting in that it suggests their use for any other time cells with specific, surface biomarkers need to be isolated, custom antibody generation can be side-stepped in favor of aptamers which eliminate batch to batch reproducibility issues. This then opens the door for a wide range of diagnostic tests, including lateral flow devices.