The CSIR bioscientists are using aptamers to explore new strategies for diagnosis and mitigation of the virulence of TB. The scientists have expressed and purified His-tagged versions of TB secreted proteins ESAT-6 and CFP-10. These monomers were to form the heterodimer in vitro. The scientists test the ability of the apmaters to: 1) be used as TB diagnostics tools by detecting the presence of ESAT-6 and/or CFP-10 in blood or sputum samples; 2) inhibit the virulence of M. tuberculosis in vitro and in TB mouse models.
Reference:
Rotherham, L, Gresh, L, Ngubane, N et al. 2008. New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for tuberculosis using anti-ESAT-6/CFP-10 aptamers. Science real and relevant: 2nd CSIR Biennial Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, 17 & 18 November 2008, pp 1
Rotherham, L., Gresh, L., Ngubane, N., Nhlapo, J., & Khati, M. (2008). New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for tuberculosis using anti-ESAT-6/CFP-10 aptamers. CSIR. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2700
Rotherham, L, L Gresh, N Ngubane, J Nhlapo, and M Khati. "New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for tuberculosis using anti-ESAT-6/CFP-10 aptamers." (2008): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2700
Rotherham L, Gresh L, Ngubane N, Nhlapo J, Khati M, New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for tuberculosis using anti-ESAT-6/CFP-10 aptamers; CSIR; 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2700 .