Molecular Imprinting for the Recognition of Peptides in Aqueous Solution

Molecular imprinting is a process for synthesizing materials that contain highly specific recognition sites for smaller molecules. Today, molecular imprinting is used for many purposes, including the creation of macromolecular binding and catalytic sites and as binding sites for the separation or resolution of optical isomers or enantiomers. In many of the methods previously known for preparation of MlPs, the monomers used have not been soluble in water or aqueous media at the concentrations utilized in the polymerization reaction. Since the use of an aqueous environment is desirable in many MIP preparations, such as where a MIP is prepared to be imprinted for a peptide or identifying segment of a peptide, there remains a need in the art for the development of new processes for aqueous-based preparation of MIPs. Technology: Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed MIPs, wherein the template comprises either a) peptide or amino acid sequence that has an N-terminal histidine or b) histamine. The MIPs were prepared in aqueous systems using reagents that are water soluble at the relevant concentrations. The technology covers methods for using MIPs as receptors or adsorbents for, or to determine the presence or non-presence of, target molecules containing i) particular peptides or amino acid sequence having N-terminal histidine residue or ii) histamine. Application: Molecular imprinting has proven to be useful in various applications, including chiral stationary phases (CSPs); as antibody mimics; as catalysts in organic synthesis; as mimics for particular enzymes and as biosensors in which the molecularly imprinted polymers are used as substitutes for other biological molecules.

Patents:
US 6,525,154

Type of Offer: Licensing



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