Combating small molecule environmental contaminants: detection and sequestration using functional nucleic acids

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Aimee A Sanford, Emory University; Brea A Manuel, Emory University; Misael A Romero-Reyes, Emory University; Jennifer Heemstra, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-06-06
• Publisher: The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Royal Society of Chemistry
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d2sc00117a
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Chemical Science
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 26
• Start Page: 7670
• End Page: 7684
• Keywords: functional nucleic acids; detection
• Research Categories: Chemistry, General; Engineering, Biomedical

Abstract

Small molecule contaminants pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. While regulations are in place for allowed limits in many countries, detection and remediation of contaminants in more resource-limited settings and everyday environmental sources remains a challenge. Functional nucleic acids, including aptamers and DNA enzymes, have emerged as powerful options for addressing this challenge due to their ability to non-covalently interact with small molecule targets. The goal of this perspective is to outline recent efforts toward the selection of aptamers for small molecules and describe their subsequent implementation for environmental applications. Finally, we provide an outlook that addresses barriers that hinder these technologies from being widely adopted in field friendly settings and propose a path forward toward addressing these challenges.