| Aptamers | Antibodies |
In vitro selection, identification and screening | In vivo selection, identification and screening |
Ready useable to toxins, drugs and small molecules identification
| Limited to identification of molecules that induce immune response |
In vitro production by automated synthesis and PCR |
More complicated production using animal host or bioreactor fermentation
|
Highly reproducible and pure product
|
Batch to batch variations in non-monoclonal preparations
|
Can function at different temperatures, pH and buffers
|
Functionality usually limited to physiological conditions
|
Easily labelled with no loss of functionality
|
Labelling can cause loss of functionality
|
Denatured aptamers can be regenerated, aptamers are stable to long term storage and can be transported at ambient temperature
| Antibodies have limited shelf life and are sensitive to temperature and may undergo denaturation |
