Abstract

Bio Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Sensing

Frieder Scheller, Professor, University of Potsdam

In order to mimic the active sites of antibodies or enzymes synthetic “functional” and cross-linking monomers are copolymerised in the presence of the target analyte. After polymerisation the template molecules are removed, providing binding sites ideally complementary in size, shape and functionality to the template, so that the template preferentially rebinds to the cavity. Electropolymerisation of the functional monomer in presence of the analyte allows the generation of ultrathin molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) direct on the transducer surface. The preparation of MIPs for the binding of proteins is still a challenge because the polymerisation process should not disturb the protein and after template removal the cavities must be accessible for the macromolecule. MIPs have the potential to substitute antibodies and enzymes in bioanalysis and chromatography. They are stable at high temperature and even in organic solvents. In this talk, biomimetic sensors for the determination of drugs, antibiotics, sugars but also for proteins will be presented.