2012 Volume 80 Issue 5 Pages 348-352
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expected to find application as a prognostic biomarker in cancer diagnosis. In this study, we measured VEGF using a simple bound/free separation system that utilizes an aptamer, whose capacity for hybridization with capture DNA immobilized on beads changes in the presence or absence of target molecules. Two systems were constructed using a VEGF aptamer selected by in vitro screening and a VEGF aptamer improved by a dimerization strategy. We can detect VEGF based on electrochemistry using both aptamers. We previously reported the detection of two proteins in addition to VEGF—IgE and thrombin—and the success of VEGF detection with this system suggests that this is a versatile system for the detection of various molecules.
