Patent ID: 8071734
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B01J,C40B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An aptamer beacon that binds to a non-nucleic acid target molecule, the aptamer beacon comprising an oligonucleotide comprising a loop portion, a first segment, and a second segment complementary to the first segment, wherein the first and second segments form a stem portion when hybridized together; an aptamer binding region formed by the oligonucleotide and configured to bind to the non-nucleic acid target molecule; a first reporter moiety attached to the first segment; and a second reporter moiety attached to the second segment, wherein the first and second reporter moieties interact to produce a detectable signal when the distance between them is changed; wherein binding of the target molecule to the aptamer binding region breaks base pair bonds in the stem portion, causing a change in conformation of the aptamer beacon that separates the first and second segments, thereby altering the distance between the first and second reporter moieties, and produces a detectable signal.