Aptamers are nucleic acids that fold into a well-defined three-dimensional structure and exhibit high affinity for a specific target molecule. Many aptamers are simple single-stranded DNA or RNA, although the incorporation of chemical diversity-enhancing side chains has led to the development of “slow off-rate modified aptamers” (SOMAmers). Investigators at Beryllium and SomaLogic, Inc. have collaborated to elucidate three crystal structures of proteins in complex with SOMAmers. The SOMAmer structures are distinctive members of the ensemble of sixteen aptamer-protein complex structures that have been reported to date.

This webinar will highlight unique attributes of SOMAmers but also discuss similarities between aptamers and antibodies from the standpoints of and target protein recognition and shape complementarity.