The Use of Aptamers and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring: A Tale of Two Receptors

Abstract

Effective molecular recognition remains a major challenge in the development of robust receptors for biosensing applications. Over the last three decades, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have emerged as the receptors of choice for use in biosensors as viable alternatives to natural antibodies, due to their superior stability, comparable binding performance, and lower costs. Although both of these technologies have been developed in parallel, they both suffer from their own unique problems. In this review, we will compare and contrast both types of receptor, with a focus on the area of environmental monitoring. Firstly, we will discuss the strategies and challenges involved in their development. We will also discuss the challenges that are involved in interfacing them with the biosensors. We will then compare and contrast their performance with a focus on their use in the detection of environmental contaminants, namely, antibiotics, pesticides, heavy metals, and pathogens detection. Finally, we will discuss the future direction of these two technologies.

Biosensors for Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone Determination in Feed Quality Control

“…The formed polymer can be used as a recognition element in affinity-based sensors. MIPs are cheaper, have higher reusability, and are more resistant to pH and to ionic strength compared to antibodies; therefore, their use in sensor development is beneficial [ 72 , 73 ]. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) molecules with a high affinity to the target molecule.…”

The Protein‐Templated Synthesis of Enzyme‐Generated Aptamers

“…In the world of molecular recognition, molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) and DNA aptamers have emerged as the most attractive synthetic alternatives to natural antibodies. Despite their common goal, little synergy has been achieved with these two technologies [1] . Researchers have attempted to develop hybrid aptamer MIPs by mixing the nucleic acid bases with a polymer backbone through extensive engineering of synthetic monomers or incorporate existing aptamers into hydrogels [2, 3] .…”

Factors Affecting Preparation of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer and Methods on Finding Template-Monomer Interaction as the Key of Selective Properties of the Materials

“…The increasing contaminants in the environmental water is an alarming issue [ 18 ]. Environmental monitoring can be carried out on environmentally hazardous materials such as dyes [ 19 ], persistent organic pollutants [ 20 ], pesticide residues [ 21 ], mycotoxins [ 22 ], heavy metals, and antibiotics [ 23 ]. The presence of these contaminants can cause harmful effects on public health, either directly or indirectly [ 24 ].…”