Virtual Screening of Receptor Sites for Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Molecularly-Imprinted SERS: A Potential Method for Bioanalysis

The most challenging step in developing bioanalytical methods is finding the best sample preparation method. The matrix interference effect of biological sample become a reason of that. Molecularly imprinted SERS become a potential analytical method to be developed to answer this challenge. In this article, we review recent progress in MIP SERS application particularly in bioanalysis. Begin with the explanation about molecular imprinting technique and component, SERS principle, the combination of MIP SERS, and follow by various application of MIP SERS for analysis. Finally, the conclusion and future perspective were also discussed.

Epitope-imprinted polymers: Design principles of synthetic binding partners for natural biomacromolecules

Molecular imprinting (MI) has been explored as an increasingly viable tool for molecular recognition in various fields. However, imprinting of biologically relevant molecules like proteins is severely hampered by several problems. Inspired by natural antibodies, the use of epitopes as imprinting templates has been explored to circumvent those limitations, offering lower costs and greater versatility. Here, we review the latest innovations in this technology, as well as different applications where MI polymers (MIPs) have been used to target biomolecules of interest. We discuss the several steps in MI, from the choice of epitope and functional monomers to the different production methods and possible applications. We also critically explore how MIP performance can be assessed by various parameters. Last, we present perspectives on future breakthroughs and advances, offering insights into how MI techniques can be expanded to new fields such as tissue engineering.

Computational aided acetaminophen - phthalic acid molecularly imprinted polymer design for analytical determination of known and new developed recreational drugs

In recent times, abuse drug consumption rates have been increasing. In addition, authorities have detected a trend in the development of new substances expressly created to avoid legislation. These novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are non-registered formulations, closely chemically related to outlawed ones to maintain the same psychotropic effects while circumventing legal restrictions. This issue arises enormous social, sanitary, and road safety problems since there is no way to detect nor quantify these non-registered substances. The aim of this work is the development of a high selective material able to pre-concentrate and detect NPS. On that account, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) designed with an imprinted cavity that matches the cathinones structural shape were proposed to detect both conventional and new cathinone derived recreational drugs. The increasing number of illicit drug modifications that is being reported requires developing a receptor valid for not only known molecules but also for incoming ones; thus, a virtual procedure must be carried out to take a step forward towards future modifications. Accordingly, a computational MIP design is proposed as the most appropriated method to effectively design this receptor. By means of molecular dynamics and molecular docking, several combinations are studied regarding their pre-polymerization complex stability but also their rebinding capacity against the proposed analytes. Hence, a phthalic acid - acetaminophen MIP is selected as the most well-suited receptor, valid for current and forthcoming cathinone recreational drugs.

Electrochemical sensing of cocaine in real samples based on electrodeposited biomimetic affinity ligands

A selective electrochemical sensor for direct detection of cocaine was developed based on molecularly imprinted polymers electropolymerized onto graphene-modified electrodes. Palladium nanoparticles were integrated in the sensing layer for the benefit of enhancing the communication between the imprinted sites and the electrode and improving their homogeneous distribution. The molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized by cyclic voltammetry using p-aminobenzoic acid as a high affinity monomer selected by computational modeling, and cocaine as a template molecule. Experimental parameters related to the electrochemical deposition of palladium nanoparticles, pH, composition of the electropolymerization mixture, extraction and rebinding conditions were studied and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current varied linearly with cocaine concentration in the range of 100-500 μM, with a detection limit of 50 μM (RSD 0.71%, n = 3). The molecularly imprinted sensor was able to detect cocaine in saliva and river water with good recoveries after sample pretreatment and was successfully applied for screening real street samples for cocaine.

MIRATE: MIps RATional dEsign Science Gateway

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are high affinity robust synthetic receptors, which can be optimally synthesized and manufactured more economically than their biological equivalents (i.e. antibody). In MIPs production, rational design based on molecular modeling is a commonly employed technique. This mostly aids in (i) virtual screening of functional monomers (FMs), (ii) optimization of monomer-template ratio, and (iii) selectivity analysis. We present MIRATE, an integrated science gateway for the intelligent design of MIPs. By combining and adapting multiple state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools into automated and innovative pipelines, MIRATE guides the user through the entire process of MIPs' design. The platform allows the user to fully customize each stage involved in the MIPs' design, with the main goal to support the synthesis in the wet-laboratory. Availability: MIRATE is freely accessible with no login requirement at http://mirate.di.univr.it/. All major browsers are supported.