Recognition in molecularly imprinted polymer α2-adrenoreceptor mimics

The Use of Computational Methods for the Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of theoretical and computational approaches in the study and development of molecular imprinting systems. These tools are being used to either improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying the function of molecular imprinting systems or for the design of new systems. Here, we present an overview of the literature describing the application of theoretical and computational techniques to the different stages of the molecular imprinting process (pre-polymerization mixture, polymerization process and ligand-molecularly imprinted polymer rebinding), along with an analysis of trends within and the current status of this aspect of the molecular imprinting field.

Stimulus-responsive hydrogels: Theory, modern advances, and applications

Over the past century, hydrogels have emerged as effective materials for an immense variety of applications. The unique network structure of hydrogels enables very high levels of hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, while at the same time exhibiting the soft physical properties associated with living tissue, making them ideal biomaterials. Stimulus-responsive hydrogels have been especially impactful, allowing for unprecedented levels of control over material properties in response to external cues. This enhanced control has enabled groundbreaking advances in healthcare, allowing for more effective treatment of a vast array of diseases and improved approaches for tissue engineering and wound healing. In this extensive review, we identify and discuss the multitude of response modalities that have been developed, including temperature, pH, chemical, light, electro, and shear-sensitive hydrogels. We discuss the theoretical analysis of hydrogel properties and the mechanisms used to create these responses, highlighting both the pioneering and most recent work in all of these fields. Finally, we review the many current and proposed applications of these hydrogels in medicine and industry.

On the influence of crosslinker on template complexation in molecularly imprinted polymers: a computational study of prepolymerization mixture events with correlations to template-polymer recognition behavior and NMR spectroscopic studies

Aspects of the molecular-level basis for the function of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and trimethylolproprane trimethacrylate crosslinked methacrylic acid copolymers molecularly imprinted with (S)-propranolol have been studied using a series of all-component and all-atom molecular dynamics studies of the corresponding prepolymerization systems. The crosslinking agents were observed to contribute to template complexation, and the results were contrasted with previously reported template-recognition behavior of the corresponding polymers. Differences in the extent to which the two crosslinkers interacted with the functional monomer were identified, and correlations were made to polymer-ligand recognition behavior and the results of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies studies. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the functional monomer–crosslinker interaction when designing molecularly imprinted polymers, and highlights the often neglected general contribution of crosslinker to determining the nature of molecularly imprinted polymer-template selectivity.

Immuno-like assays and biomimetic microchips

Biomimetic assays with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are bound to be an alternative to the traditional immuno-analytical methods based on antibodies. This is due to the unique combination of advantages displayed by the artificial materials including the absence of animal inoculation and sacrifice, unnecessary hapten conjugation to a carrier protein for stimulated production, the possibility of manufacturing MIPs against toxic substances, excellent physicochemical stability, reusability, ease of storage, and recognition in organic media. If the selectivity and affinity of MIPs are increased, many more immuno-like assays will be developed using radioactive, enzymatic, colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or electrochemical interrogation methods. This chapter provides a comprehensive comparison between the bio- and biomimetic entities and their usage.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years up to and including 2003

Over 1450 references to original papers, reviews and monographs have herein been collected to document the development of molecular imprinting science and technology from the serendipitous discovery of Polyakov in 1931 to recent attempts to implement and understand the principles underlying the technique and its use in a range of application areas. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by papers dealing with fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting and the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing attempts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented.

Some new developments and challenges in non-covalent molecular imprinting technology

The technique of molecular imprinting allows the formation of specific recognition and catalytic sites in macromolecules via the use of templates. Molecularly imprinted polymers have been applied in an increasing number of applications where molecular binding events are of interest. These include the use of molecularly imprinted polymers as tailor-made separation materials, antibody and receptor binding site mimics in recognition and assay systems, enzyme mimics for catalytic applications and as recognition elements in biosensors. The stability and low cost of molecularly imprinted polymers make them advantageous for use in analysis as well as in industrial-scale production and application.

Towards the rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers

Efforts to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the formation of binding sites in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and of MIP-ligand binding events are presented in the context of a thermodynamic treatment of MIP recognition phenomena.

Separation and sensing based on molecular recognition using molecularly imprinted polymers

Molecular recognition-based separation and sensing systems have received much attention in various fields because of their high selectivity for target molecules. Molecular imprinting has been recognized as a promising technique for the development of such systems, where the molecule to be recognized is added to a reaction mixture of a cross-linker(s), a solvent(s), and a functional monomer(s) that possesses a functional groups(s) capable of interacting with the target molecule. Binding sites in the resultant polymers involve functional groups originating from the added functional monomer(s), which can be constructed according to the shape and chemical properties of the target molecules. After removal of the target molecules, these molecularly imprinted complementary binding sites exhibit high selectivity and affinity for the template molecule. In this article, recent developments in molecularly imprinted polymers are described with their applications as separation media in liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, solid-phase extraction, and membranes. Examples of binding assays and sensing systems using molecularly imprinted polymers are also presented.