Introduction
Hey, instead of the usual informational articles I write, I wanted to blog about summer research experience. This research took place at UT Austin with the High School Research Academy Program. This is a research program designed to give lab experience exclusively to highschool students.
My Field Of Research
I got placed into the molecular stickers group and researched aptamers. I explained in my previous articles what aptamers are (I learned this from the camp). I worked with a group to research lysozyme, a type of protein which is commonly found in egg whites. We wanted to try to find an aptamer that can detect lysozyme, in order to help people with allergies against eggs.
How to find an Aptamer
I listed a diagram below, but if it is hard to understand I will list the steps.
- Generate a pool of RNA.
- Encode the protein, lysozyme, into beads.
- Throw the RNA at the beads.
- Eluate what sticks and dispense what does not stick.
- Convert the RNA into DNA via Reverse Transcription.
- Amplify the DNA through a variety of PCR reactions.
- Concentrate the DNA via ethanol precipitation.
- Convert DNA to RNA and repeat steps 1-7.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0039914021001958
Application of Aptamer
We created a dipstick test that is dipped into the blood. If only one side fluoresces, the lysozyme has bind to the aptamer. Below is a diagram we created showing the dipstick proposal.
Results and Conclusion
After numerous weeks of aptamer selection, and completing a fair amount of the round 1 selection process, it has been confirmed that the SELEX process was done correctly. With everything done so far, it is certain that with further selections conducted, an aptamer will be undoubtedly found.
Further research into lysozyme will be necessary to see if the anti lysozyme found will work as intended. We wonder that since eggs are cooked often in food, what would happen if the lysozyme was denatured due to heat? It is proven that lysozyme functions differently when denatured, and might not function as intended without future research into denatured lysozyme. Additionally, we have decided that the dipstick test may be the best way to apply the aptamer as shown in the diagram.