Aptamers, Aptamer-Based Sensors and Methods for the Detection of Neurofilament Light

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This invention covers aptamers — short, engineered DNA or RNA molecules — that are specifically designed to bind to Neurofilament Light (NfL), a protein released into blood and cerebrospinal fluid when nerve cells are damaged. These aptamers are incorporated into biosensors capable of detecting NfL with high specificity. The technology also encompasses methods for measuring NfL levels in biological samples. Because NfL is a key biomarker for neurological damage and disease, this platform offers a targeted molecular tool for its sensitive and selective detection.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or ALS by detecting elevated NfL levels in blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples.
• Monitoring traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity and recovery progress in emergency medicine or sports medicine settings.
• Tracking disease progression and treatment response in clinical trials for neurological therapies by providing a quantitative NfL readout.
• Developing point-of-care biosensor devices for rapid, low-cost neurological screening in outpatient or resource-limited environments.
• Quality control and research applications in pharmaceutical labs studying neurodegeneration, where precise NfL quantification is required.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Aptamers can be produced synthetically with high reproducibility, avoiding the batch-to-batch variability associated with antibody-based detection reagents.
• The aptamer-based biosensor format enables label-free or minimally processed detection, reducing assay complexity and time compared to traditional ELISA methods.
• High binding specificity of the selected aptamers minimizes cross-reactivity with structurally similar neurofilament subunits, improving diagnostic accuracy.
• Aptamers are chemically stable and can be stored at room temperature, making them more practical for field deployment and point-of-care use than protein-based antibodies.
• The platform is adaptable to multiple biosensor transduction formats (electrochemical, optical, etc.), enabling flexible integration into existing diagnostic instrument ecosystems.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to aptamers that bind to neurofilament light, biosensors, uses of the aptamers, methods for detecting neurofilament light.