Publications
A new method for the reproducible development of aptamers (Neomers). Meehan C, Hamilton EL, Mansour CG, Lecocq S, Drake CJ, Rodrigues E, Penner G (2025) PLoS One.
Abstract
The development of aptamers has been almost exclusively performed based on the SELEX method since their inception. While this method represents a powerful means of harnessing the in vitro evolution of sequences that bind to a given target, there are significant constraints in the design. The most significant constraint has been the reliance on counter selection on off-targets to drive specificity. Counter selection has not been as effective at driving aptamer specificity as the presence of immune tolerance, the capacity of the immune system to remove antibodies that bind to host targets, is for antibody development. This deficiency has constrained the commercial efficacy of aptamers to date. These limitations have been addressed with our design of a novel platform for aptamer identification. This new design is based on what we refer to as a Neomer library with sixteen random nucleotides interspersed with fixed sequences. The fixed sequences are designed to minimize the potential for hybridization, such that secondary structure is driven by the random nucleotides. The use of sixteen random nucleotides reduces the possible library sequences to 4.29 × 109. This enables the application of the same sequences to either the same target or different targets while maintaining a high level of structural diversity. In effect, this introduces the capacity for reproducibility in aptamer selection and an in-silico approach to replicating immune tolerance. We provide here an overview of the new method and a description of the performance of aptamers selected for interleukin 6 developed using this approach.
A reproducible approach for the use of aptamer libraries for the identification of Aptamarkers for brain amyloid deposition based on plasma analysis. Meehan C, Lecocq S, Penner G (2024).PLoS ONE 19(8): e0307678.
Abstract
The development of reliable blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a significant step toward accessible and non-invasive diagnosis. This review explores the state of current blood-based biomarker technologies, emphasizing aptamer-based detection strategies. The potential of these technologies to revolutionize early detection, patient stratification, and monitoring of disease progression is discussed.
A blind trial of Aptamarker prediction of brain amyloid based on plasma analysis. Lecocq, S., Bastos, F., Silva, M., Meehan, C., Castro, R., Cunha, J., Silva, A. C., Ruano, L., Penner, G. (2023). medRxiv.
Abstract
This study presents a blinded analysis of plasma samples from the FACE cohort in Portugal, applying the Aptamarker platform to predict amyloid status as confirmed by PET imaging. The results support the reproducibility and translational applicability of aptamer-based assays for non-invasive detection of Alzheimer’s pathology, with high predictive accuracy.
Aptamarker prediction of brain amyloid-β status in cognitively normal individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Penner, G., Lecocq, S., Chopin, A., Vedoya, X., Lista, S., Vergallo, A., Cavedo, E., Lejeune, F. X., Dubois, B., Hampel, H., INSIGHT-preAD study group, & Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI) (2021). PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0243902.
Abstract
Reliable non-invasive biomarkers are urgently needed to identify Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in cognitively normal individuals. In this study, we used Aptamarker technology to screen for blood biomarkers predictive of brain amyloid-β (Aβ) status. Our results demonstrate that aptamer-based blood testing has potential to predict brain Aβ burden in at-risk populations with high accuracy, paving the way for early-stage AD diagnostics.
Blood-based diagnostics of Alzheimer’s disease. Gregory Penner, Soizic Lecocq, Anaëlle Chopin, Ximena Vedoya, Simone Lista, Andrea Vergallo, Francois-Xavier Lejeune & Harald Hampel (2019) Blood-based diagnostics of Alzheimer’s disease, Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, 19:7, 613-621.
Abstract
The development of reliable blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a significant step toward accessible and non-invasive diagnosis. This review explores the state of current blood-based biomarker technologies, emphasizing aptamer-based detection strategies. The potential of these technologies to revolutionize early detection, patient stratification, and monitoring of disease progression is discussed.
Aptamers as biomarkers for neurological disorders. Proof of concept in transgenic mice. Lecocq S, Spinella K, Dubois B, Lista S, Hampel H, Penner G (2018) Aptamers as biomarkers for neurological disorders. Proof of concept in transgenic mice. PLoS ONE 13(1):e0190212.
Abstract:
This proof-of-concept study evaluates aptamers as novel biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease. Using transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, the research demonstrates that aptamer-based detection offers specificity and sensitivity in identifying disease-associated molecular changes in plasma. The findings highlight the potential of aptamer technology for future diagnostic development.