Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules that mimic antibodies by folding into complex 3D shapes that bind to specific targets. Although some aptamers exist naturally as the ligand-binding elements of riboswitches, most are generated in vitro and can be tailored for a specific target. Relative to antibodies, aptamers benefit from their ease of generation, low production cost, low batch-to-batch variability, reversible folding properties and low immunogenicity. However, the true value of aptamers lies in the simplicity by which these molecules can be engineered into sensors, actuators and other devices that are often central to emerging technologies. This Review examines changing trends in aptamer technology by analysing the first quarter century of aptamer data that is available in the scientific literature (1990–2015). We highlight specific examples that showcase the use of aptamers in key applications, discuss challenges that have impeded the success of aptamers in practical applications, provide suggestions for choosing chemical modifications that can lead to enhanced activity or stability, and propose standards for the characterization of aptamers in the scientific literature.

适体是通过折叠成与特定靶标结合的复杂3D形状来模仿抗体的核酸分子。尽管一些适体作为核糖开关的配体结合元件自然存在，但大多数是在体外产生的并可以针对特定目标进行量身定制。相对于抗体，适体受益于它们的易产生性，低生产成本，低的批次间可变性，可逆的折叠特性和低的免疫原性。然而，适体的真正价值在于可以将这些分子工程化到传感器，执行器和其他对于新兴技术至关重要的设备中的简单性。本评论通过分析科学文献（1990-2015年）中可获得的适体数据的第一个25世纪来研究适体技术的变化趋势。我们重点介绍了一些示例，这些示例展示了适体在关键应用中的使用，讨论了阻碍适体在实际应用中取得成功的挑战，