Rapid acquisition of high-affinity DNA aptamer motifs recognizing microbial cell surfaces using polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresisElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental section including precise partitioning, detailed results of sequencing, binding assay, and kinetics. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc07268a

We present a polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresis (PectI) selection methodology for acquisition of high-affinity (kinetically inert) DNA aptamers capable of recognizing distinct microbial cell surfaces, which requires only a single electrophoretic separation between particles (free cells and cells bound with aptamers) and molecules (unbound or dissociated DNA) in free solution. A polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresis selection methodology was developed for rapid acquisition of high affinity DNA aptamers recognizing microbial cell surfaces.