Molecular imprinting is an attractive technique that produces tailored functional materials with high target affinity that complement or even replace biological antibodies. Imprinting of macromolecules like proteins is still a challenge owing to its complex and fragile nature. In this study, we present a general protocol for the making of surface-imprinted core-shell nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization using immobilized protein molecules (Lysozyme and Ribonuclease A). Surface imprinting with immobilized templates is a very promising way to create such polymers with possible applications in the field of analytical chemistry, separation and sensing. The imprinted nanoparticles exhibit superior loading and selectivity towards template protein over competing molecules in water. Additionally, the potential use of these nanoparticles as affinity adsorbents for protein purification is also demonstrated. Successful fabrication of surface imprinted nanoparticles using different protein targets illustrates the versatility of our imprinting scheme and its potential to be a general approach for protein imprinting.

Core-shell surface imprinted polymeric nanoparticles for selective protein recognition and separation from complex aqueous media

241st National Meeting (2011)

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