Synthetic hosts via molecular imprinting—are universal synthetic antibodies realistically possible?

Abstract

Of the many ways to make synthetic hosts, one of the most appealing involves molecular imprinting. In the commonest approach monomer units assemble around or are attached to a template (imprint) molecule and then linked together using a cross-linking agent. Template removal ideally leaves cavities within the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) that possess a shape and functional group complementarity to the imprint molecule allowing its tight and selective uptake. This review highlights some recent advances in the synthesis of MIPs (often called "synthetic antibodies") and enumerates a "wish list" of properties for the perfect MIP that may guide future studies.

Design of fluorescent materials for chemical sensing

“…To improve the stability of these materials, the alternative is the covalent attachment of the probes to the polymeric matrices. 42 Parallel to the production of polymeric materials, new trends in material science for chemical sensing are emerging. Other materials have been developed where the components of a sensing system (receptor and fluorophore) are directionally confined in a physical space, i.e.…”

Design of Fluorescent Materials for Chemical Sensing

“…It is believed that only part of the created binding sites have high affinity and selectivity for the template molecule. 42 Despite their poor selectivity, MIPs are suitable candidates to be used in sensor arrays where the collection of responses of these unspecific sensors to the presence of an analyte can create a characteristic pattern for analyte recognition. -hybridized.…”

Recent advances in molecular imprinting technology: current status, challenges and highlighted applications

“…Since the post-treatment steps required in bulk polymerization are not necessary when the alternative polymerisation strategy is used, a more homogeneous binding site distribution should be obtained. 87 Among the mentioned polymerization methods, typically, MIPs were prepared by conventional suspension polymerization, where water is used as a continuous phase to suspend a droplet of pre-polymerization mixtures in the presence of a stabilizer or surfactant. 88,89 There are some very successful suspension polymerization reports, widely applied for covalent and non-covalent MIT.…”

“…87 Meanwhile, at present, MIT still faces severe challenges, such as imprinting biological macromolecules, template leakage, low binding capacity, and incompatibility with aqueous media. To address the existing problems of MIT and to improve the performances of MIPs, significant attempts have been made during recent years.…”