<div><p>Sequences obtained from SELEX are typically 30 or more nucleotides in length [1]. However, it is widely established that conserved sequence motifs (consensus sequences) play an important role in biological functions [2]. Therefore, a minimal sequence of the full length aptamer that retains the characteristic function for which the full length aptamer was originally selected may be identified. Using this minimal target-binding sequence lowers its production costs and in some cases improves binding [16].  Determining the minimal functional sequences within the isolated aptamers involve gradually truncating aptamers while keeping the consensus sequence intact.</p>
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</p><ol><li> Silverman, S.,K. Artificial Functional Nucleic Acids: Aptamers, Ribozymes, and Deoxyribozymes Identified by in Vitro Selection. Functional Nucleic Acids for Analytical Applications 2009, 1, 47-108.  </li>
<li>Szostak, J.W. Enzymatic Activity of the Conserved Core of a Group I Self-Splicing Intron. Nature 1986, 322, 83-86. </li>
<li> Sivaprakasam, K.; Pagan, O.R.; Hess, G.P. Minimal RNA Aptamer Sequences that can Inhibit Or Alleviate Noncompetitive Inhibition of the Muscle-Type Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. J. Membr. Biol. 2010, 233, 1-12.  </li>
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