Smart Materials – Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Biomolecularly Imprinted Polymers (Bionanotechnology)

Reddy’s group is developing hydrogel-based molecularly imprinted polymers (HydroMIPs) for the memory imprinting of proteins and for protein biosensor development. The molecular imprint remains as a memory effect in the gel after the protein is removed, and the remaining cavity exhibits highly selective rebinding of said protein. The possibilities for this HydroMIP technology are vast including uses in bio-sample clean-up or selective extraction, replacement of biological antibodies in immunoassays and biosensors for medicine. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have become an important tool in the preparation of artificial and robust recognition materials that are capable of mimicking natural systems. When compared to natural recognition products such as antibodies, MIPs offer advantages such as durability, specificity and ease of mass production, that have previously not been offered by alternative techniques. To date, MIPs have been widely used in a number of applications including chromatographic applications, solid phase extraction, catalysis and various sensor strategies.

We have used techniques such as electrochemistry, quartz crystal microbalance sensing, dual polarisation interferometry, atomic force spectroscopy and confocal imaging to characterize the HydroMIPS.

Below are confocal images showing (a) retention and (b) release of protein from within a protein imprinted polymer gel.

We are currently developing biosensor strategies by integrating HydroMIPs with optical, acoustic and electrochemical sensor technologies for the detection of protein biomarkers including cardiac and cancer markers as well as pathogens.

Smart Materials: Permselective Membranes and Electrochemical Biosensors

We are investigating the nanoselective polymer membranes for their application in membrane-based amperometric enzyme electrodes. We have looked at surfactant and liquid crystal modification of PVC membranes.

We have applied the LC-modified PVC membrane system for the selective determination of paracetamol.

The quartz crystal microbalance has been used by us for the biosensor determination of e.g. DNA hybridization, immunobinding and small molecules (e.g. glucose and paracetamol and pesticides).