I Nucleic Acid Aptamers -- Nucleic Acid Pool Preparation and Characterization -- In Vitro Selection of ssDNA Aptamers Using Biotinylated Target Proteins -- Isolating Aptamers Using Capillary Electrophoresis-SELEX (CE-SELEX) -- In Vitro Selection of Allosteric Ribozymes -- Cell-Specific Aptamers for Targeted Therapies -- Aptamers Targeting RNA Molecules -- Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS)-Based Characterisation of Aptamer Ligand Interaction -- Structural Probing Techniques on Natural Aptamers -- Determining Structures of RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches by X-Ray Crystallography -- Locked Nucleic Acid Aptamers -- Screening of Novel Inhibitors of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase with a Reporter Ribozyme Assay -- Aptamers as Artificial Gene Regulation Elements -- Aptamers and Biosensors -- Nanoparticles/Dip Stick -- In Vivo Imaging of Oligonucleotidic Aptamers -- II Peptide Aptamers -- Selection of Peptides Interfering with Protein-Protein Interaction -- In Vitro Selection of Protein and Peptide Libraries Using mRNA Display -- Ligand-Regulated Peptide Aptamers -- Isolation of Peptide Aptamers to Target Protein Function -- Microbodies™ -- Peptide Aptamers for Small Molecule Drug Discovery -- Synthesis and Application of Peptides as Drug Carriers.

After the deciphering of the human genome and the genomes of many other organisms, the investigation of the function of gene products and their orchestral interplay is now one of the most important challenges in the life sciences. In Nucleic Acid and Peptide Aptamers: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers contribute state-of-the-art methods focused on these two vital molecule types which are so often employed for in vitro selection procedures. Divided conveniently into two distinct parts beginning with nucleic acid aptamers and ending with peptide aptamers, the volume provides methodologies for the isolation, characterization, and application of both types. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, all chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and Notes sections, which highlight tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and easy to use, Nucleic Acid and Peptide Aptamers: Methods and Protocols will provide researchers with an inspiring and helpful guide to the application of these compounds to their own distinct research issues.