Separation of nontarget compounds by DNA aptamers

The ability of DNA aptamers to separate nontarget compounds is demonstrated . Two G-quartet forming aptamers, a 15-mer and a 20-mer, were covalently li nked to fused silica capillary columns to serve as stationary-phase reagent s in capillary electrochromatography. Separations of binary mixtures of ami no acids (D-trp and D-tyr), enantiomers (D-trp and L-trp), and polycyclic a romatic hydrocarbons were achieved. Aptamers offer several attractive featu res for stationary-phase reagents, including ease of synthesis and of attac hment to surfaces and modification of their binding properties through mino r changes in sequence.