Selection of DNA Aptamers for Endotoxin

Endotoxins are potentially toxic natural compounds that are found in the outer membranes of various gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are in large part responsible for dramatic clinical manifestations of infections with pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. In order to develop a sensor for endotoxin that would not require special training and could withstand the conditions of an industrial or medical setting, we have used a method called in-vitro selection or Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) to obtain DNA aptamers with high specificity and selectivity for endotoxin. While we were able to confirm activity from the selection, we were unable to identify the active DNA. Given further work, a colorimetric or fluorophore-based sensor should be able to be developed based upon the DNA aptamers that have been isolated.