Abstract

This project is aimed toward finding DNA aptamers against prostate cancer peptide antigens. DNA aptamers can function to find and indicate the presence of certain molecules in a specimen. These aptamers will be obtained through the process of evolutionary selection, a specific process called SELEX which stands for Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Experimental Enrichment. By conducting several rounds of SELEX, a DNA aptamer will be selected to bind to a known peptide antigen. A biotinylated column will be utilized to stabilize a random library of DNA aptamers, and those peptides that bind to certain aptamers will cause a conformational change leading to the elution of those specific DNA aptamers. This SELEX process will be conducted again on the eluted aptamers to further select for strong binding DNA aptamers. The DNA aptamers that are obtained can further on be sequenced or used for prostate cancer research studies. Another possible usage of aptamers is to diagnose and determine the stage of various different cancer types. Our prediction is that this research will produce a DNA aptamer that will bind to a specific prostate cancer peptide antigen.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2014

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Kolpashchikov, Dmitry

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Molecular Biology and Microbiology

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Medicine; Medicine -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

PDF

Identifier

CFH0004671

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

3 years

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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