Applications of Molecular Imprinting to the Recognition and Detection of Bioactive Molecules

Research in our laboratory has been focused on the development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) which exhibit selectivites for various biologically active molecules. In an effort to create steroid-selective sensors we have thoroughly investigated the effect of various polymerization conditions on the selectivity of MIPs for testosterone. Separation factors (a) ranging from 3 to 10 were observed for a suite of similar steroids. Furthermore, we report a novel post-polymerization technique by which the selectivity of this type of MIP may be further enhanced. Diastereoselective recognition of peptide derivatives has also been achieved using a novel polymerizable valine derivative as a functional monomer We have also developed an FIA-based sensor for the antibiotic chloramphenicol which relies upon the displacement of a chloramphenicoldye conjugate from an MIP by the drug. The sensor is effective over a wide range of concentrations encompassing the therapeutic dosage.