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Guanine-Rich DNA Aptamers for Selective Binding to Agarose Hydrogels
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Scientists discovered a short piece of DNA that acts like a molecular "sticky note," specifically latching onto agarose (a seaweed-derived gel used in labs and some medical/food products) but not other materials. This matters because it's a proof-of-concept for designing DNA tags that can recognize and grab specific gels or polymers — a tool that could eventually help build better biosensors, drug-delivery systems, or even materials that detect contamination in food or water. While this study doesn't directly address microplastics, the same DNA-engineering approach has previously been used to create sequences that bind plastic particles, suggesting this research field could
Although DNA-functionalized hydrogels have been widely explored for sensing, controlled release, and smart materials, the potential for strong, noncovalent recognition between DNA and hydrated polymer networks remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the selection of DNA aptamers that specifically bind agarose hydrogels. Using a structured DNA library and agarose beads as the target, a dominant guanine-rich sequence, Agar-1, emerged after 11 rounds of selection. Quantitative PCR and fluorescence assays confirmed that the enriched sequences bind agarose substantially more strongly than a random DNA library. Truncation yielded a 42-nucleotide aptamer that retained binding activity, whereas further truncation that preserved only the guanine-rich region abolished binding, indicating a strict structural requirement. Notably, binding required Mg 2+ and was inhibited by K +, suggesting a non-G-quadruplex recognition mechanism. In contrast to previously reported C/T-rich sequences that bind microplastics, the G-rich agarose aptamers highlight the versatility of DNA–polymer interactions and demonstrate how simple changes in sequence composition can drive recognition of distinct materials. These findings establish the feasibility of evolving aptamers against hydrogels and provide a foundation for engineering programmable DNA–hydrogel interfaces for biosensing, responsive materials, and controlled-release applications.
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Selection of Plastic‐Binding DNA Aptamers for Microplastics Detection
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Researchers isolated DNA aptamers that selectively bind to PVC and polystyrene plastics, detecting microplastic particles as small as 1 milligram using fluorescent labeling. The aptamers showed strong selectivity for plastics over other environmental materials like silica, and molecular simulations revealed how they maximize surface contact with plastic for adsorption. This aptamer-based approach could offer a new, targeted tool for environmental microplastic monitoring.
Selection of Plastic‐Binding DNA Aptamers for Microplastics Detection
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Researchers developed DNA aptamers capable of selectively binding to polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics, with the selected aptamers exhibiting approximately 90% cytosine and thymine content. The PVC-1 aptamer demonstrated a six-fold higher binding capacity to PVC compared to random-sequence DNA, showing promise for aptamer-based microplastic detection methods.
Turning a Natural Biopolymer-Binding Protein into a Plastic Surface-Recognizing Protein
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Scientists re-engineered a natural protein (originally designed to grip onto materials like crab shells) so it instead sticks to plastics like PET, polystyrene, and polyethylene. In lab tests, this modified protein successfully "lit up" microplastic particles pulled from real seawater samples, acting like a highlighter for plastic contamination. This matters because better tools to detect microplastics could eventually help researchers track how much plastic pollution is in our water and environment, an important step toward understanding our exposure to these particles, though this study doesn't yet address direct health effects.
eDNA Adsorption onto Microplastics: Impacts of Water Chemistry and Polymer Physiochemical Properties
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Researchers studied how environmental DNA, genetic material shed by organisms, attaches to different types of microplastics under varying water conditions. They found that DNA adsorption depends on the type of plastic polymer, water chemistry factors like pH and salt concentration, and the presence of natural organic matter. The findings suggest that microplastics could serve as carriers of genetic material in the environment, with implications for tracking both pollution sources and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
Adsorption of Linear and Spherical DNA Oligonucleotides onto Microplastics
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Researchers investigated DNA adsorption onto common microplastics and found that DNA oligonucleotides bind to polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PVC surfaces, suggesting microplastics could serve as carriers for environmental DNA in aquatic ecosystems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.