Recent Advances in the Development of Functional Nucleic Acid Biosensors Based on Aptamer-Rolling Circle Amplification.

Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acids or peptides that exhibit high specificity and affinity for target molecules such as small molecules, proteins, or cells. Due to their ability to bind precisely to these targets, aptamers have found widespread use in bioanalytical and diagnostic applications. Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is an amplification technique that utilizes DNA or RNA templates, where circular primers are extended by polymerases to generate multiple repeated sequences, enabling highly sensitive detection of target molecules. The integration of aptamers with RCA offers significant advantages, enhancing both the specificity and sensitivity of detection while ensuring a fast and straightforward process. This synergy has already been widely applied across various fields, including fluorescence, microfluidics, visualization, and electrochemical technologies. Examples include molecular probe development, rapid detection of disease biomarkers, and environmental monitoring. Looking ahead, the aptamer-RCA platform holds great promise for advancing early disease diagnosis, precision medicine, and the development of nanosensors, driving innovation and new applications in these fields.