Obtin Alkhamis

Works (18)

Updated: March 6th, 2026 15:25

2025 article

Affinity Maturation of a Fentanyl Aptamer by Motif-SELEX

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Castro, G., Byrd, C., Bryant, A., Yu, H., & Xiao, Y. (2025, December 16). JACS Au.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, G. Castro n, C. Byrd n, A. Bryant n, H. Yu*, Y. Xiao n 

topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes; Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies
Sources: NC State University Libraries, NC State University Libraries
Added: December 18, 2025

2025 article

Exploring the relationship between aptamer binding thermodynamics, affinity, and specificity

Alkhamis, O., Byrd, C., Canoura, J., Bacon, A., Hill, R., & Xiao, Y. (2025, March 20). Nucleic Acids Research.

By: O. Alkhamis n, C. Byrd n, J. Canoura n, A. Bacon n, R. Hill n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism; Thermodynamics; Ligands; Calorimetry
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 4, 2026

2025 article

High-Contrast Aptamer-Based Merocyanine Displacement Assays for Sensitive Small Molecule Detection

Nguyen, T., Alkhamis, O., Bacon, A., Bukhryakov, K. V., Vinueza, N. R., & Xiao, Y. (2025, October 13). ACS Sensors, Vol. 10.

By: T. Nguyen n, O. Alkhamis n, A. Bacon n, K. Bukhryakov *, N. Vinueza n  & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Colorimetry / methods; Pyrimidinones / chemistry; Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry; Humans; Limit of Detection; Coumarins / chemistry; Benzopyrans; Indoles
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Biosensors and Analytical Detection; Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
Sources: NC State University Libraries, NC State University Libraries
Added: March 4, 2026

2025 article

Improving Aptamer Affinity and Determining Sequence–Activity Relationships via Motif-SELEX

Yu, H., Canoura, J., Byrd, C., Alkhamis, O., Bacon, A., Yan, A., … Xiao, Y. (2025, March 7). Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 147, pp. 9472–9486.

By: H. Yu *, J. Canoura n, C. Byrd n, O. Alkhamis n, A. Bacon n, A. Yan *, B. Sullenger *, Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; SELEX Aptamer Technique; Structure-Activity Relationship
topics (OpenAlex): RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms; Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
2. Zero Hunger (OpenAlex)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: March 24, 2025

2024 article

Determining the Precision of High-Throughput Sequencing and Its Influence on Aptamer Selection

Canoura, J., Alkhamis, O., Byrd, C., Wang, L., Bryant, A., & Xiao, Y. (2024, October 25). Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 10.

By: J. Canoura n, O. Alkhamis n, C. Byrd n, L. Wang n, A. Bryant n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods; Oligonucleotides / analysis
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: November 12, 2024

2024 article

Developing Aptamer-Based Colorimetric Opioid Tests

Canoura, J., Alkhamis, O., Venzke, M., Ly, P. T., & Xiao, Y. (2024, March 1). JACS Au, Vol. 3.

By: J. Canoura n, O. Alkhamis n, M. Venzke n, P. Ly n & Y. Xiao n 

author keywords: aptamers; SELEX; opioids; high-throughputsequencing; exonuclease; dye-displacement assay; 3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4',5'-dibenzo-9-methyl-thiacarbocyanine; Marquis test
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Biosensors and Analytical Detection; Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
TL;DR: This work develops on-site sensors for morphine and structurally related opioid compounds based on in vitro-selected oligonucleotide affinity reagents known as aptamers that enable the naked-eye identification of specific opioids within seconds and will play an important role in combatting opioid abuse. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: March 18, 2024

2024 article

Examining the Relationship between Aptamer Complexity and Molecular Discrimination of a Low-Epitope Target

Wang, L., Canoura, J., Byrd, C., Nguyen, T., Alkhamis, O., Ly, P., & Xiao, Y. (2024, November 11). ACS Central Science, Vol. 11.

By: L. Wang n, J. Canoura n, C. Byrd n, T. Nguyen n, O. Alkhamis n, P. Ly n, Y. Xiao n 

topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; RNA Interference and Gene Delivery; Biosensors and Analytical Detection
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: November 18, 2024

2024 article

Exploring the Landscape of Aptamers: From Cross-Reactive to Selective to Specific, High-Affinity Receptors for Cocaine

Yang, K., Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Bryant, A., Gong, E. M., Barbu, M., … Landry, D. W. (2024, February 13). JACS Au, Vol. 2.

By: K. Yang *, O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, A. Bryant n, E. Gong *, M. Barbu *, S. Taylor *, D. Nikic* ...

author keywords: cocaine; aptamer; specific; high-affinity; cross-reactive; hydrophobic receptor
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures; Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
TL;DR: A series of progressively improved DNA aptamers recognizing cocaine are reported, with the final optimized receptors having low nanomolar affinity and over a thousand-fold selectivity over the initial cross-reactants. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: March 11, 2024

2024 article

High-Affinity Aptamers forIn VitroandIn VivoCocaine Sensing

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Wu, Y., Emmons, N. A., Wang, Y., Honeywell, K. M., … Xiao, Y. (2024, January 26). Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 146, pp. 3230–3240.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, Y. Wu *, N. Emmons *, Y. Wang *, K. Honeywell *, K. Plaxco *, T. Kippin *, Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Animals; Humans; Biosensing Techniques; Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Serum; Cocaine / chemistry
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
TL;DR: High-stringency in vitro selection is performed to generate DNA aptamers that bind cocaine with nanomolar affinity and clinically relevant specificity, thus representing a dramatic improvement over the current-generation, micromolar-affinity, low-specificity cocaine aptamers. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: February 19, 2024

2024 article

Nuclease-assisted selection of slow-off rate aptamers

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Wang, L., & Xiao, Y. (2024, June 12). Science Advances, Vol. 10.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, L. Wang n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods; Kinetics; Thermodynamics
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures; RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: July 1, 2024

2024 article

Rapid Nuclease-Assisted Selection of High-Affinity Small-Molecule Aptamers

Wang, L., Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Yu, H., & Xiao, Y. (2024, July 23). Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 7.

By: L. Wang n, O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, H. Yu * & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry; RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 5, 2024

2023 article

Aptamer-Based Fentanyl Detection in Biological Fluids

Canoura, J., Liu, Y., Alkhamis, O., & Xiao, Y. (2023, November 30). Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 95, pp. 18258–18267.

By: J. Canoura n, Y. Liu n, O. Alkhamis n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Biosensing Techniques / methods; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Fentanyl; Antibodies; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications; Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
TL;DR: This work utilized library-immobilized SELEX to isolate new aptamers─nucleic acid-based bioreceptors that are well-suited for biosensing that can specifically bind fentanyl under physiological conditions and incorporated one of these into an electrochemical aptamer-based sensor that can rapidly detect fentanyl. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: January 29, 2024

2023 article

Comparison of Aptamer Signaling Mechanisms Reveals Disparities in Sensor Response and Strategies to Eliminate False Signals

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Willis, C., Wang, L., Perry, J., & Xiao, Y. (2023, May 22). Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 145, pp. 12407–12422.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, C. Willis n, L. Wang n, J. Perry n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; DNA; DNA, Complementary; Sensitivity and Specificity; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods; Biosensing Techniques / methods
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Analytical Chemistry and Sensors; Biosensors and Analytical Detection
TL;DR: This work has developed a series of sensors using aptamers for the small-molecule drugs flunixin, fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl and compares their performance, focusing on their specificity, and demonstrates strategies for improving the sensitivity and specificity of aptamer sensors with the development of a "hybrid beacon". (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: July 19, 2023

2023 article

Using Exonucleases for Aptamer Characterization, Engineering, and Sensing

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Ly, P. T., & Xiao, Y. (2023, June 14). Accounts of Chemical Research, Vol. 6.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, P. Ly  n & Y. Xiao n 

topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Biosensors and Analytical Detection; SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
TL;DR: The serendipitously discovered that the digestion of DNA aptamers by exonucleases is inhibited when an aptamer is bound to a ligand, which served as the foundation for the development of three novel aptamer-related methodologies in the laboratory. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: June 26, 2023

2022 article

High-throughput quantitative binding analysis of DNA aptamers using exonucleases

Canoura, J., Alkhamis, O., Liu, Y., Willis, C., & Xiao, Y. (2022, December 30). Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 12.

By: J. Canoura n, O. Alkhamis n, Y. Liu n, C. Willis n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemical synthesis; Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Exonucleases; Ligands; Nucleic Acids; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods; Fentanyl / analysis; Robotics
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry; RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
TL;DR: This work has developed a high-throughput method for accurately quantifying aptamer binding affinity, specificity, and cross-reactivity via the kinetics of aptamer digestion by exonucleases and this approach dramatically accelerates the aptamer characterization process and streamlines sensor development. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: January 17, 2023

2022 article

Near-Infrared Dye-Aptamer Assay for Small Molecule Detection in Complex Specimens

Jin, X., Liu, Y., Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Bacon, A., Xu, R., … Xiao, Y. (2022, July 7). Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 7.

By: X. Jin *, Y. Liu n, O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, A. Bacon n, R. Xu*, F. Fu *, Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; Biological Assay; Biosensing Techniques / methods
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; Biosensors and Analytical Detection; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
TL;DR: The utility of dye-aptamer NIR biosensors for high-throughput detection of analytes in clinical specimens is shown and the generality of this assay is demonstrated by detecting three different small-molecule analytes with their respective DNA aptamers at clinically relevant concentrations in serum and urine. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: July 26, 2022

2022 article

Systematic Study of in Vitro Selection Stringency Reveals How To Enrich High-Affinity Aptamers

Alkhamis, O., & Xiao, Y. (2022, December 27). Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 12.

By: O. Alkhamis n & Y. Xiao n 

MeSH headings : Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry; SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods; Ligands
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; RNA Interference and Gene Delivery; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
TL;DR: By performing four separate trials of SELEX for the same small-molecule target, it is experimentally proved that the use of excessively high target concentrations promotes enrichment of low-affinity binders while also suppressing the enrichment of high-Affinity aptamers. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: January 17, 2023

2021 article

DNA Aptamer–Cyanine Complexes as Generic Colorimetric Small‐Molecule Sensors

Alkhamis, O., Canoura, J., Bukhryakov, K. V., Tarifa, A., DeCaprio, A. P., & Xiao, Y. (2021, October 27). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Vol. 1.

By: O. Alkhamis n, J. Canoura n, K. Bukhryakov *, A. Tarifa *, A. DeCaprio * & Y. Xiao n 

author keywords: aptamers; colorimetric detection; cyanine dyes; dye-displacement; small-molecule targets
topics (OpenAlex): Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques; DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry; Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
TL;DR: A rational approach is demonstrated to develop colorimetric cyanine dye-displacement assays that can be broadly applied to DNA aptamers regardless of their structure, sequence, affinity, or the physicochemical properties of their targets. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: April 18, 2022

Citation Index includes data from a number of different sources. If you have questions about the sources of data in the Citation Index or need a set of data which is free to re-distribute, please contact us.

Certain data included herein are derived from the Web of Science© and InCites© (2026) of Clarivate Analytics. All rights reserved. You may not copy or re-distribute this material in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Clarivate Analytics.