Aptamer-based lateral flow assay and associated methods

A device for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:

• a fluid transfer membrane further including:
• a sample input region operable to receive a liquid sample;
• a reagent region including a first split aptamer segment, a second split aptamer segment, and detection marker, wherein the first and second split aptamers are operable to ligate in the presence of the analyte, and wherein the detection marker is operable to bind to the second split aptamer;
• and
• a test region having an immobilized binding reagent operable to bind to the first split aptamer segment such that the detection marker is held in the test region when the first split aptamer segment is ligated to the second split aptamer segment due to the analyte being present in the sample;
• wherein the device is arranged such that a sample delivered to the sample input region passes along the fluid transfer membrane through the reagent region prior to contacting the test region.