Abstract

Of the major threats to contemporary mankind, is the use of very dangerous and lethal biological agents as the biological weapons. The first step in confronting with this serious threat after prevention, is the accurate and rapid detection of this agents and neutralization of them. In this article, the role of molecules known as aptamer, has been studied in biological defense against these menacing biological agents. Traditional methods for detection of these agents are based primarily on immuno-affinity assays and the use of antibody molecules. While the modern methods, based on aptamer-affinity assays, are being replaced with traditional methods, due to the abundant advantages of them. The selection and preparation method of specific aptamer with high binding affinity to these biological agents is known as SELEX and the use of magnetic nanoparticles to perform this procedure (Mag-SELEX) is very common. The isolated aptamers with high specificity can also be used in neutralization and inhibition of menacing agents function, in addition to, quick and accurate diagnosis of these agents, utilizing them in nano-biosensors, based on aptamers (as the nanoaptasensors).