MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES AS SYNTHETIC ANTIBODY MIMICS FOR BIOMEDICINE

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic antibody mimics that specifically recognize molecular targets. They are highly cross-linked polymers synthesized in the presence of the target molecule acting as a molecular template. This templating induces three-dimensional binding sites in the polymer that are complementary to the template in size, shape and chemical functionality. The synthetic antibody can recognize and bind its target with an affinity and selectivity similar to a biological antibody.

We present here new approaches for the synthesis of MIP by localized polymerization at the nanoscale. Photoinduced living radical polymerization, sometimes involving a solid-phase approach, was used to synthesize protein-size, soluble MIP nanogels with a homogeneous size distribution. They show specific binding of their targets, small organic molecules or proteins, with a nanomolar affinity and a good selectivity. In addition, the direct coating of thin MIP films around fluorescent nanoparticles by localized photopolymerization using the particles as individual internal light sources are described. The targets of these MIPs are soluble proteins, cell surface glucosides, and peptide epitopes of cell surface proteins.

The use of these functional nanomaterials as antibody-mimicking inhibitors of biological functions, for bioassays as well as for cell and tissue imaging by fluorescence microscopy will be described.