POS8-0455
Library-Immobilized Selection on a Three Dimensional Microporous Cryogel for Breast Cancer Exosome-Targeting Aptamer Discovery
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Kim Yeongseo (Ewha Womans University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) is a widely employed strategy for the development of high-affinity aptamers. However, conventional SELEX typically relies on target-immobilization approaches, which can induce conformational changes in the target molecules and mask critical surface epitopes required for specific molecular recognition. To address these limitations, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) aptamer-immobilized selection platform based on microporous polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels. In this system, thiol-modified aptamer libraries were covalently conjugated within the hydrogel network through thiol-vinylsulfone chemistry, while structurally complex targets, which are breast cancer-derived exosomes, were able to freely diffuse throughout the matrix and interact with the immobilized aptamers in a near-native conformation. Compared with conventional 2D target- and aptamer-immobilized SELEX performed in parallel as controls, aptamers selected from the 3D platform showed markedly higher binding affinity and distinct enrichment patterns. Functional assays further confirmed that these aptamers effectively suppressed exosome-induced cell migration and invasion, demonstrating clear therapeutic potential. Overall, this hydrogel-based 3D platform offers a scalable, physiologically relevant strategy for aptamer discovery, with promising applications in biomarker identification and biosensor development.
