One-step covalently conjugated aptamer microbubbles for ultrasound targeted imaging

In this study, we purpose a covalently conjugated microbubbles coupling with nucleic acid ligands, aptamers, for providing a higher specific affinity for ultrasound targeting studies. The sgc8c aptamer was linked with bubbles through thiol-maleimide coupling chemistry for specific targeting to CCRF-CEM cells. Several investigations were used to discuss the performance and consistency of the prepared bubbles, such as size distribution, conjugation efficiency analysis and flow cytometry assay. Further, we applied our conjugated bubbles to ex-vivo ultrasound targeted imaging and compared with optical images.