Single-molecule selection methods are provided for identifying
target-binding molecules from diverse sequence and shape libraries.
Complexes and imprints of selected target-binding molecules are also
provided. The subject selection methods are used to identify
oligonucleotide and nonnucleotide molecules with desirable properties for
use in pharmaceuticals, drug discovery, drug delivery, diagnostics,
medical devices, cosmetics, agriculture, environmental remediation, smart
materials, packaging, microelectronics and nanofabrication. Single
oligonucleotide molecules with desirable binding properties are selected
from diverse sequence libraries and identified by amplification and
sequencing. Alternatively, selected oligonucleotide molecules are
identified by sequencing without amplification. Nonnucleotide molecules
with desirable properties are identified by single-molecule selection from
libraries of conjugated molecules or nucleotide-encoded nonnucleotide
molecules. Alternatively, target-specific nonnucleotide molecules are
prepared by imprinting selected oligonucleotide molecules into
nonnucleotide molecular media. Complexes and imprints of molecules
identified by single-molecule selection are shown to have broad utility as
drugs, prodrugs, drug delivery systems, willfully reversible cosmetics,
diagnostic reagents, sensors, transducers, actuators, adhesives, adherents
and novel multimolecular devices.
