Introducing AptaCom: a centralized aptamer database

Aptamers are small single stranded nucleotides, capable of binding with high affinity and specificity to a wide range of targets. Unlike antibodies, aptamers lead to lower immune response, while being very chemically malleable. Since the beginning of aptamer research, there has been a prevalent data issue. Information is often incomplete and dispersed through various sources, with databases being frequently abandoned and deactivated. AptaCom introduces a centralized platform for aptamer information. It combines 6 of the largest aptamer databases into a single platform, covering more than 3500 different aptamer entries. AptaCom describes aptamers in terms of their name, target, respective sequences and chemical compositions. The end goal is to allow easier tracking of potential aptamer targets, as well as easier cross-reference of overlapping aptamer information.