Apta-PCR.

Real-time Apta-PCR is a methodology that can be used for a wide variety of applications ranging from food quality control to clinical diagnostics. This method takes advantage of the combination of the sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification with the selectivity of aptamers. Ultra-low detection of target analyte can potentially be achieved, or, improved detection limits can be achieved with aptamers of low-medium affinity. Herein, we describe a generic methodology coined real-time Apta-PCR, using a model target (β-conglutin) and a competitive format, which can be adapted for the detection of any target which an aptamer has been selected for.