Aptamers are short, single-stranded nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) or peptides that can bind to specific targets such as proteins, small molecules, or even cells with high affinity and specificity. They are often referred to as "chemical antibodies" due to their ability to bind targets with high specificity, akin to antibodies. However, unlike antibodies, aptamers are synthesized chemically, which allows for greater batch-to-batch consistency and scalability.
