According to one embodiment, a sensor includes an ionic liquid, a probe molecule, and a sensor element. The probe molecule selectively associates with a designated substance in the ionic liquid. The sensor element detects an association of the probe molecule with the designated substance.

The present disclosure describes methods, devices, reagents, and kits for the detection of one or more target molecules that may be present in a test sample. In one embodiment, a test sample is contacted with an aptamer that includes a tag and has a specific affinity for a target molecule. An aptamer affinity complex that includes an aptamer bound to its target molecule is allowed to form. If the test sample contains the target molecule, an aptamer affinity complex will generally form in the test sample. The aptamer affinity complex is optionally converted to an aptamer covalent complex that includes an aptamer covalently bound to its target molecule. The aptamer affinity complex (or optional aptamer covalent complex) can then be detected and/or quantified using any of a variety of methods known to one skilled in the art, including using a solid support, using mass spectrometry, and using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

The present disclosure describes methods, devices, reagents, and kits for the detection of one or more target molecules that may be present in a test sample. In one embodiment, a test sample is contacted with an aptamer that includes a tag and has a specific affinity for a target molecule. An aptamer affinity complex that includes an aptamer bound to its target molecule is allowed to form. If the test sample contains the target molecule, an aptamer affinity complex will generally form in the test sample. The aptamer affinity complex is optionally converted to an aptamer covalent complex that includes an aptamer covalently bound to its target molecule. The aptamer affinity complex (or optional aptamer covalent complex) can then be detected and/or quantified using any of a variety of methods known to one skilled in the art, including using a solid support, using mass spectrometry, and using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Provided is aptamers screening method based on graphene without target immobilization and the aptamers obtained from the method, and more particularly, a new GO-SELEX method without target immobilization in which a single-stranded nucleic acid pool may react with a non-bound target material or a counter-target material, after which a single-stranded nucleic acid which has not been bound to the target or counter-target may be separated by using the graphene. Also, the specific aptamer obtained through the above-described method may be used for diagnosing target related diseases.

Provided is aptamers screening method based on graphene without target immobilization and the aptamers obtained from the method, and more particularly, a new GO-SELEX method without target immobilization in which a single-stranded nucleic acid pool may react with a non-bound target material or a counter-target material, after which a single-stranded nucleic acid which has not been bound to the target or counter-target may be separated by using the graphene. Also, the specific aptamer obtained through the above-described method may be used for diagnosing target related diseases.

The present disclosure provides a novel approach, recomSELEX, that highly integrate mutually supportive recombination and computational methods for aptamer selection and identification. The recomSELEX approach comprises a recombinatorial SELEX platform for aptamer screening that exponentially increases the sequence space that is explored by incorporation of a DNA shuffling step that allows recombination between aptamers. Subsequently, the recombinatorial SELEX platform can also be employed to develop new and optimize already existing aptamers. The recomSELEX further comprises a computational SELEX platform with a constrained genetic algorithm (GA) to identify potential aptamers that are stable and have the desired specificity and affinity of a target.

The present disclosure provides a novel approach, recomSELEX, that highly integrate mutually supportive recombination and computational methods for aptamer selection and identification. The recomSELEX approach comprises a recombinatorial SELEX platform for aptamer screening that exponentially increases the sequence space that is explored by incorporation of a DNA shuffling step that allows recombination between aptamers. Subsequently, the recombinatorial SELEX platform can also be employed to develop new and optimize already existing aptamers. The recomSELEX further comprises a computational SELEX platform with a constrained genetic algorithm (GA) to identify potential aptamers that are stable and have the desired specificity and affinity of a target.