Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the detection of a SARS-Cov-2 vims antigen including, for example, a SARS-Cov-2 virus nucleocapsid protein and/or a SARS-Cov-2 virus spike protein. The present invention provides novel polynucleotide sequences which spontaneously fold to form aptamers having secondary structure features that promote selective binding to a SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen. The present invention further provides test kits and assay methods which employ the polynucleotides described herein, to achieve a more accurate, lower cost, rapid diagnosis COVID-19 test intended to accelerate contact tracing and testing of individuals and the community in the management of the ongoing global pandemic caused by various strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing nucleic acid aptamers having selectivity for target substrates. In particular the present invention provides for a method of identifying a ligand binding domain (LBD) in an aptamer by providing a first incubation solution by incubating an aptamer with a target substrate in a first appropriate solvent; and adding an exonuclease enzyme to the first incubation solution to form a second incubation solution in a second appropriate solvent and incubating the second incubation solution, wherein the exonuclease enzyme digests aptamer and provides an aptamer comprising the ligand binding domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that bind to small molecules and methods of using the polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a small molecule with a polynucleotide. In other embodiments, a method comprises administering a polynucleotide to inhibit the action of a small molecule. In some embodiments, the small molecule is a hormone, a hormone mimic, phytoestrogen, opiate, opioid, endocrine disrupting compound, metabolite thereof, or variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that bind to small molecules and methods of using the polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a small molecule with a polynucleotide. In other embodiments, a method comprises administering a polynucleotide to inhibit the action of a small molecule. In some embodiments, the small molecule is a hormone, a hormone mimic, phytoestrogen, opiate, opioid, endocrine disrupting compound, metabolite thereof, or variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of optimisation of a polynucleotide sequence for use in an aptamer based assay, comprising adding additional bases to the ligand binding domain. The invention also covers methods of detecting target molecules in a sample using 5 optimised polynucleotide sequences in a suitable detection assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that bind to small molecules and methods of using the polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a small molecule with a polynucleotide. In other embodiments, a method comprises administering a polynucleotide to inhibit the action of a small molecule. In some embodiments, the small molecule is a hormone, a hormone mimic, phytoestrogen, opiate, opioid, endocrine disrupting compound, metabolite thereof, or variant thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing nucleic acid aptamers having selectivity for target substrates. In particular the present invention provides for a method of identifying a ligand binding domain (LBD) in an aptamer by providing a first incubation solution by incubating an aptamer with a target substrate in a first appropriate solvent; and adding an exonuclease enzyme to the first incubation solution to form a second incubation solution in a second appropriate solvent and incubating the second incubation solution, wherein the exonuclease enzyme digests aptamer and provides an aptamer comprising the ligand binding domain.

Abstract: This present invention provides methods for the detection of small molecules in samples comprising the steps a) coupling a nanoparticle (NP) or microparticle (MP) to an aptamer specific for the small molecule to be detected to form a NP-aptamer conjugate b) contacting the NP-aptamer conjugate with the sample; and c) detecting a change in the size, surface potential, or mobility of the NP-aptamer conjugate, wherein the change is indicative of the presence of the small molecule. The present invention also provides for and a biosensor comprising nanoparticles coupled to aptamers to provide nanoparticle aptamer-conjugates (NP-aptamer).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of optimisation of a polynucleotide sequence for use in an aptamer based assay, comprising adding additional bases to the ligand binding domain. The invention also covers methods of detecting target molecules in a sample using 5 optimised polynucleotide sequences in a suitable detection assay.

Abstract: This present invention provides methods for the detection of small molecules in samples comprising the steps a) coupling a nanoparticle (NP) or microparticle (MP) to an aptamer specific for the small molecule to be detected to form a NP-aptamer conjugate b) contacting the NP-aptamer conjugate with the sample; and c) detecting a change in the size, surface potential, or mobility of the NP-aptamer conjugate, wherein the change is indicative of the presence of the small molecule. The present invention also provides for and a biosensor comprising nanoparticles coupled to aptamers to provide nanoparticle aptamer-conjugates (NP-aptamer).