Aptamer screening within sample matrices: Toward reliable applications.

Matrix-integrated SELEX strategies are being developed to improve aptamer robustness against complex sample matrix effects that can disrupt folding, stability, and target recognition.

• Why it matters: Reliable translation of aptamers into food safety, disease diagnosis, and drug delivery is hindered because real-sample matrices can interfere with aptamer function.
• What they did: This review systematically summarizes recent matrix-integrated SELEX approaches, including matrix-spiked selection, matrix-based negative selection, and holistic matrix selection, and links them to mechanisms and performance outcomes.
• The result: The field is positioned as an upstream strategy to enhance aptamer robustness and applicability, while remaining technical and conceptual challenges are identified for future screening platforms.

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