Selective capture and release of analytes

Abstract

The described subject matter includes techniques and components for minimally invasive, selective capture and release of analytes. An aptamer is selected for its binding affinity with a particular analyte(s). The aptamer is functionalized on a solid phase, for example, microbeads, polymer monolith, microfabricated solid phase, etc. The analyte is allowed to bind to the aptamer, for example, in a microchamber. Once the analyte has been bound, a temperature control sets the temperature to an appropriate temperature at which the captured analyte is released.

1 . A method for capturing and selectively releasing an analyte, comprising:
 (a) binding the analyte to an aptamer, the aptamer functionalized on a solid phase; and   (b) setting the temperature of the aptamer such that the analyte is released from the aptamer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (c) introducing the analyte to the aptamer in an impure form;   (d) washing the bound aptamer analyte complex to remove impurities; and   (e) repeating (c), (a), and (d) such that the amount of bound analyte is increased.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) collecting and detecting the analyte.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting includes performing mass spectrometry on the released analyte. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting includes detecting fluorescence intensity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid phase includes a microbead. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte includes an oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein binding the analyte to the aptamer comprising binding the analyte to the aptamer at a first temperature, and wherein setting the temperature of the aptamer comprises reducing the temperature of the aptamer to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature. 
     
     
         9 . A method for selectively increasing the concentration of an analyte, comprising:
 (a) functionalizing a solid phase with an aptamer;   (b) introducing the analyte to the aptamer in an impure form;   (c) binding the analyte to the aptamer;   (d) washing the bound aptamer analyte complex to remove impurities;   (e) repeating (a)-(d) until a desired analyte concentration is reached; and   (f) setting the temperature of the aptamer such that the analyte is released from the aptamer.