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.<br/>We present here new approaches for the synthesis of MIP, by localized polymerization at the nanoscale. Photoinduced living radical polymerization using a dendritic multiiniferter was used to synthesize protein-size, soluble MIP nanogels with a homogeneous size distribution. Their size and density are very close to those of biological antibodies. The MIP nanogels, which can also be obtained by a solid-phase synthesis approach, 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, as well as the direct writing of MIP microsensors by two-photon stereolithography, are described.<br/>The use of these functional nanomaterials as antibody mimics for cell and tissue imaging, for biosensing and bioanalysis will be demonstrated.

Controlled and localized photopolymerization of molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposites as synthetic antibodies for biomedicine

2019 Spring National Meeting

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