The present disclosure features a composition, including molecularly imprinted crosslinked polymers that have been imprinted with trimethylamine N-oxide. The molecularly imprinted crosslinked polymers have specific binding sites for trimethylamine N-oxide, and a trimethylamine N-oxide absorption capacity of at least 0.5 mg/g.

Embodiments of templated polymeric materials capable of binding lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) are disclosed. Methods of making and using the templated polymeric materials also are disclosed. The disclosed templated polymeric materials are molecularly imprinted polymers that bind LPAs and facilitate the production of lysophosphatidic acid-enriched samples, for instance through extraction of lysophosphatidic acids from biological samples, such as plasma or serum samples.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a molecular sensor that is specific for a target molecule having a saccharide or peptide region. The method comprises using the target molecule as a template and incubating the template with a receptor to form a template-receptor complex. A molecular scaffold is formed on a surface around the template-receptor complex such that the receptor and at least a portion of the template are embedded in the scaffold, and the template is removed to produce a cavity defined by the scaffold, such that the cavity is complementary to at least a portion of the saccharide or peptide region of the target molecule.

The subject invention provides chemical compositions and synthesis strategies to create molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) via sol-gel processes. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention utilizes a(n) organic, inorganic, or metallic template analyte to create a hybrid organic-inorganic or inorganic three-dimensional network possessing cavities complementary to the shape, size, and functional orientation of the template molecule or ions. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the novel MIPs as selective solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents for pre-concentration and clean-up of trace substances in biological and environmental samples. Synthesis of other molecularly imprinted polymers with environmental, pharmaceutical, chemical, clinical, toxicological, and national security implications can be conducted in accordance with the teachings of the subject invention.

The present invention relates to a molecularly imprinted polymer for binding glycans, wherein the molecularly imprinted polymer is obtainable by providing a saccharide template such as a glycan; providing at least two functional monomers capable of cooperatively; interacting with the template; providing a crosslinking monomer; polymerizing the monomers optionally dissolved in a solvent, in presence of the saccharide template; and removing the template from the formed polymer. The invention is also related to a method for their production and use of the molecularly imprinted polymer.

The present invention provides methods of designing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) which have applications in extracting bioactive compounds from a range of bioprocessing feedstocks and wastes. The present invention is further directed to MIPs designed by the methods of the present invention.

Disclosed is agents and methods that target metabolism malfunctions, inborne as well as acquired, as well as methods for preparation of the agents. In particular, the invention relates to methods for preparing molecular imprinted polymers with high binding capacity for phenylalanine or tyrosine, MIPs that bind phenylalanine or tyrosine, and methods for treating phenylketonuria, alkaptonuria, and hypertyrosinemia.

A colorimetric sensor for detecting an analyte of interest that includes multiple surfaces and a molecularly imprinted polymer defining a cavity shaped to receive an analyte of interest. Each surface defines a void (e.g., a pore or a nanohole) and at least one surface defines a fluid inlet. The sensor is configured such that, when an analyte contacts the molecularly imprinted polymer and becomes disposed within the cavity, a wettability of at least one of the surfaces changes thereby to cause a detectable color change in the sensor. Optionally, the sensor may also include a metal layer at a bottom of each void or nanohole and outside a top of each void or nanohole for use as a plasmon resonance-type sensor.

A material includes a porous particle that includes a metal ion imprinted polymer. The metal ion imprinted polymer is formed from a hydrophilic co-monomer, a metal containing polymerizable compound, and a cross-linking agent. The metal containing polymerizable compound includes at least one metal chelating ligand. The metal ion imprinted polymer includes a plurality of metal ion selective binding sites. A method includes flowing brine containing a metal ion through a reactor that includes the material. The method further includes discharging the brine from the reactor, contacting the porous particles with water, and pressurizing the reactor with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide reacts with the adsorbed metal ions to form a metal carbonate solution. The method further includes depressurizing the reactor to precipitate metal carbonate from the metal carbonate solution and discharging the metal carbonate solution from the reactor.

Disclosed is agents and methods that target metabolism malfunctions, inborne as well as acquired, as well as methods for preparation of the agents. In particular, the invention relates to methods for preparing molecular imprinted polymers with high binding capacity for phenylalanine or tyrosine, MIPs that bind phenylalanine or tyrosine, and methods for treating phenylketonuria, alkaptonuria, and hypertyrosinemia.