Comprehensive Aptamer Selection Platforms

Creative Biolabs provides an end-to-end aptamer selection and development suite built to support complement-therapeutics research. Leveraging protein-SELEX, whole-cell SELEX, live-animal (in vivo) SELEX, and aptamer pair development, we help you obtain binders that are not only high-affinity on paper, but also fit-for-purpose in real experimental contexts.

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What Are Comprehensive Aptamer Selection Platforms?

An aptamer selection platform is a systematic workflow, typically based on SELEX, that enriches rare, high-performing DNA/RNA sequences from large combinatorial libraries. The "comprehensive" part matters because different biological questions require different selection environments:

Purified protein targets for controlled, quantitative affinity maturation
Intact living cells for native conformation, membrane context, and unknown epitope discovery
Living animals for physiological distribution, tissue targeting, and in vivo performance pressure
Paired binders (two-site recognition) for sandwich assays and higher-confidence detection formats

Great Minds Choose Creative Biolabs

From robust platform design to publication-ready deliverables, our aptamer teams support global innovators with standardized workflows, flexible customization, and consistent data quality.

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Service Portfolio

Below are the core selection platforms offered under this service page. Each module can run standalone or as part of a turn-key program.

Protein-based SELEX Services for Aptamer Development

Ideal when you have purified targets (or a sequence and need expression support). Includes optional negative selection to sharpen specificity and integrates NGS + downstream affinity testing.

Whole Cell-based SELEX Services for Aptamer Development

Designed for native membrane proteins and complex epitopes—no need for prior target purification or complete structural knowledge. Particularly useful when protein conformation is context-dependent.

Live Animal-based SELEX Services for Aptamer Development

In vivo selection (in vivo-SELEX) enables enrichment under physiological constraints—supporting tissue/organ-targeting aptamers and improving relevance for complex biological environments.

Aptamer Pair Development Services

For assay formats that demand two-site binding (e.g., sandwich detection), we develop aptamer pairs using strategies beyond classic immobilization-dependent SELEX, improving the chance of obtaining non-competing binders.

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Why Choose Our Comprehensive Aptamer Selection Platforms?

Built to reduce “false success” early

Standardized core, customized where it counts

Data-driven enrichment with NGS + biophysics

One-stop continuity from selection to application

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Platform Selection Guide

Platform	Guide
Choose Protein-SELEX when	You need tight control over buffer, ionic strength, pH, and selection temperature You want rapid iteration and clear KD-driven optimization Your target is soluble, stable, and available in purified form (or can be expressed depletion)
Choose Whole-Cell SELEX when	Your target is a membrane protein (or conformation-sensitive) The native epitope is unknown, complex, or difficult to purify You want binders that "see what biology sees" on intact living cells
Choose Live-Animal (In Vivo) SELEX when	You need tissue/organ targeting or physiological performance selection In vitro binders underperform in vivo due to distribution/clearance constraints You want an additional biological filter to enrich functional candidates
Add Aptamer Pair Development when	Your final format is a sandwich assay, biosensor, or high-specificity detection workflow You need two non-overlapping binding events to reduce off-target risk and boost sensitivity

Design Your Workflow

Workflow

Project Intake & Feasibility Design

Target type (protein/cell/tissue)
Intended application (binding/neutralization/detection)
Sample constraints
Success criteria alignment

Library & Selection Strategy Setup

ssDNA/RNA library preparation
Partition plan
Negative/counter selection design
Stringency ramping schedule

Iterative Selection + Enrichment Tracking

Multiple rounds of selection with amplification control and real-time enrichment monitoring
NGS introduced at the right decision point

Hit Confirmation & Application-Directed Refinement

Aptamer synthesis/purification
Labeling/modifications as needed
Affinity/specificity testing
Aptamer pair screening and compatibility checks

Case Studies

Case 1

In vitro selection of an ATP-binding TNA aptamer

The researchers reported the evolution of an ATP-binding aptamer composed entirely of α-L-threose nucleic acid (TNA). A chemically synthesized version of the best aptamer sequence shows high affinity to ATP and strong specificity against other naturally occurring ribonucleotide triphosphates. Unlike its DNA and RNA counterparts that are susceptible to nuclease digestion, the ATP-binding TNA aptamer exhibits high biological stability against hydrolytic enzymes that rapidly degrade DNA and RNA. Based on these findings, TNA aptamers could find widespread use as molecular recognition elements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications that require high biological stability.

Selection of an ATP-binding TNA aptamer (OA Literature)

Fig.1 Selection of threose nucleic acid (TNA) aptamers.^1,2

References

Zhang, Li, and John C. Chaput. "In vitro selection of an ATP-binding TNA aptamer." Molecules 25.18 (2020): 4194. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25184194
Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

What Our Clients Say

“The team shared clear checkpoints, NGS enrichment readouts, and a rational shortlist that avoided redundant families. What we appreciated most was the practical guidance on how to use the candidates—recommended buffers, blocking strategies, and what not to do when immobilizing. It felt like a true development partnership rather than a handoff of sequences.”

— Dr. M.L., Principal Scientist

“Our goal was to build a robust sandwich-style detection concept. The aptamer pair development work was notably structured: they didn’t simply provide two binders—they screened for non-competitive behavior and discussed orientation/labeling as part of assay design. We received a concise set of pairs with supporting data and clear recommendations for which one to advance.”

—S.K., Director of Bioanalytical Development

“We chose whole-cell SELEX because our target is conformation-sensitive and purification was not giving us confidence. The team helped define the best control cells and structured counter-selection so we didn’t enrich generic cell-surface binders.”

— A.R., Senior Research Associate, Cell Biology

“Creative Biolabs provided a phased plan with clear go/no-go points and used NGS at the right time to avoid over-running rounds. We ended with a focused shortlist and clean documentation we could share internally.”

— J.P., R&D Lead, Diagnostic Platform Startup

“We collaborate with multiple vendors, and what stood out here was the combination of technical depth and communication clarity. They asked the right questions early and didn’t oversell a single approach. The team was comfortable proposing a hybrid strategy, which proved important for our client’s membrane target. Reports were well organized, and the sequence selection logic was easy for stakeholders to understand.”

— L.W., Head of Molecular Tools

FAQs

How do you help us choose between protein-based SELEX, whole-cell SELEX, and live animal SELEX?

We start with your intended application (binding reagent, detection, functional blocking, imaging, etc.), the target format feasibility (purified protein availability, membrane presentation, conformational sensitivity), and your real experimental matrix (buffer vs serum-like, cell media, lysate).

Can you develop aptamers that work on native membrane proteins or unknown epitopes?

That’s a core strength of whole-cell SELEX. When epitopes are unknown or the native conformation is hard to reproduce in purified form, cell selection can enrich binders against physiologically presented targets. We’ll help define the most informative control cells and validation plan (e.g., knockdown/overexpression comparisons where available, competition assays, or cross-cell-line specificity profiling).

How do you handle aptamer stability requirements (nuclease resistance, shelf stability, serum tolerance)?

We plan stability from the beginning-either by applying selection pressure closer to your real conditions or by integrating a post-selection optimization pathway. Typical options include chemical modifications (platform-dependent), end-capping strategies, and format recommendations (e.g., labeling choices, immobilization orientation). We also advise on storage and handling to preserve activity across repeated experiments.

What are the typical deliverables?

Deliverables usually include a curated sequence shortlist, enrichment analytics (NGS if used), synthesized aptamers (as requested), and a characterization package aligned with your application—KD/kinetics where appropriate, specificity profiling, and recommended usage conditions.

How do you reduce risk if our target is challenging or our timeline is tight?

We use milestone-based checkpoints (early enrichment signals, interim specificity checks, go/no-go criteria) and can run parallel tracks—e.g., two partition strategies or a protein vs cell approach—when the target is high-risk. This is often more efficient than betting everything on a single selection path and discovering limitations late.

Are your aptamer services suitable for complement-related targets and assays?

Yes. Many complement research programs require binders that perform reliably in complex biological systems and across different assay formats. We can align selection and validation to complement-relevant use cases (e.g., binding to native proteins, cell-surface presentation, or assay pair requirements), while keeping the deliverables focused on research-use performance.