Prof. Sibel Ayşıl ÖZKAN

Recent advances in molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors and their future prospects

Sibel A. Ozkan

Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ankara, Türkiye; Sibel.Ozkan@pharmacy.ankara.edu.tr

Molecular imprinting technology, which forms molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), is a creative method that enables synthetic biorecognition gaps to imitate real biological derivatives like antibodies, receptors, enzymes, etc,. After removing the target analyte, synthetic cavities enable the recognition and selective rebinding of the template. In this case, molecular imprinting technology offers biosimilar receptors with higher specific affinities and better stability than natural receptors and biomolecules  [1]. Although stable and durable MIPs seem relatively easy to create to achieve maximum efficiency, some optimization parameters should be considered, such as appropriate functional monomer and crosslinker and optimal ratios between functional monomer, template, and crosslinker [2]. The optimization process can vary based on the polymerization technique (electropolymerization, photopolymerization, and thermal polymerization). It was reported that template monomer interactions are realized through non-covalent interactions such as van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and dipolar interactions. Among them, MIP-based electrochemical sensors have a significant place because, with MIPs, it is possible to overcome the lack of selectivity issue in electrochemical sensors.

Nanomaterials, famous for their prominent electron transfer capacity and specific surface area, are increasingly employed in modifications of MIP sensors. Unlike traditional electrochemical sensors, nanomaterials-based MIP sensors have excellent sensing and recognition capabilities. Nanomaterial embeded MIP-based electrochemical sensors and miniature electrochemical transducers can detect target analytes in situ. Thanks to superior chemical and physical stability, low-cost manufacturing, high selectivity, and fast response, MIPs have become an interesting field recently. Moreover, without requiring time-consuming preparation procedures, these sensors have been successfully used in biological fluids and pharmaceutical samples.

References

[1] L. Uzun, A.P.F. Turner, Molecularly-imprinted polymer sensors: realising their potential, Biosens. Bioelectron. 76 (2016) 131e144.

[2] A.M. Mostafa, S.J. Barton, S.P. Wren, J. Barker, Review on molecularly imprinted polymers with a focus on their application to the analysis of protein biomarkers, TrAC Trends Anal. Chem. 144 (2021) 116431.