APTAMERS AND NANO-CEPTORS: GREEN STRATEGY FOR THERAPEUTIC AND THERANOSTIC PURPOSES

This Ph.D. project aimed to strengthen green research in the biomedical field by promoting the development of environmentally sustainable technologies. Conducted in collaboration with UlisseBiomed S.p.A., the work focused on the creation and optimization of aptamer-based tools to provide accessible and eco-friendly solutions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Aptamers are synthetic single-stranded nucleic acids that fold into defined 3D structures, enabling high-affinity and specific binding to molecular targets. Compared to monoclonal antibodies, aptamers offer advantages such as lower production costs, enhanced stability, and a reduced environmental footprint due to their non-biological synthesis. Selected via the in vitro SELEX process, they show great potential as sustainable alternatives in biomedicine. The project concentrated on identifying aptamers against Human Papillomavirus type 2 (HPV2) capsid using the Aptavir platform, aiming to block viral entry. Additionally, aptamers were explored as molecular recognition elements in nano-ceptors for biomarker detection. In parallel, the NanoHYBRID platform, developed by UlisseBiomed, was employed to design DNA nanoswitches for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective biomarker quantification, reducing reliance on conventional assays like ELISA. Overall, the project contributed to advancing greener, affordable technologies with translational potential.