The present disclosure provides Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) technology for selectively sequestering one or more target molecules from chemical mixtures. Also disclosed herein are MIP beads and methods of making and using thereof.

The invention relates to a method for preparing molecular imprint polymers (MIP) by radical polymerization that uses at least one primer including at least two chemical functions capable of forming reactive radicals, thereby providing a locally high radical concentration for priming the polymerization on or about the imprint entity or molecule. The invention also relates to molecular imprint polymers (MIP) that can be obtained by the method of the invention, and to the use thereof in the production of biomimetic biosensors, biomimetic biochips, chemical sensors, specific adsorption separation devices, as a coating, particularly for releasing active ingredients.

A colorimetric sensor for detecting an analyte of interest that includes a metal layer disposed upon a substrate, a plurality of nanostructures, and a corresponding plurality of metal deposits spaced apart from the metal layer. The metal layer defines a plurality of holes, each nanostructure includes a first portion disposed within a respective hole, and each metal deposit is disposed upon a second portion of a respective nanostructure. The sensor also includes a molecularly imprinted polymer layer that may cover the metal layer, the nanostructures, and/or the metal deposits. The molecularly imprinted polymer layer defines a cavity shaped to receive the analyte of interest, and the sensor is configured such that, when an analyte contacts the molecularly imprinted polymer layer and becomes disposed within the cavity, an optical property of at least a portion of the sensor changes thereby to cause a detectable color change in and/or from the sensor.

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 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.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are materials exhibiting molecular recognition of a target molecule. MIPs are synthesized in the presence of an aflatoxin template, a mimic to the targeted molecule, used as an imprint that is further washed away with suitable solvent after completion of the polymerization process, leaving a cavity in the polymer of the same stereochemistry, functionality and morphology to the template. When the MIP encounters an aflatoxin, the molecule is bound in the cavity with a receptor-like affinity.

A process for separate removal and recovery of heavy metals from industrial wastewater is provided. The wastewater to be treated flows through adsorbents after filtration and adjustment of a pH to about 3 to 7 to obtain the adsorbents which have adsorbed corresponding heavy-metal ions, which are then eluted from the corresponding adsorbents using an acidic solution such that eluates containing the corresponding heavy-metal ions are obtained.

A molecularly imprinted polymer comprises at least one recognition site that is complementary to a template molecule consisting of an amino acid sequence corresponding to a subsequence of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, wherein the amino acid sequence is no more than 50 amino acids in length and comprises a sequence selected from (i) NSNNLDSKVGG, (ii) NYNYLYRLFRKS, (iii) YRLFRKSNLKPF, (iv) STEIYQAGSTPC, (v) CNGVEGFNCYF, (vi) GSTPCNGVEGF, (vii) CYFPLQSYGFQP, (viii) GFQPTNGVGYQ and (ix) LQSYGFQPTNG. A method of preparing the molecularly imprinted polymer is also provided. Conjugates comprising the molecularly imprinted polymer and a fluorophore are also provided as are compositions containing the molecularly imprinted polymer and conjugates of the invention. The molecularly imprinted polymer, conjugate and compositions can be used in the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

A nanoscale molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) thin film for small molecule detection, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical sensor using the MIP and quantum electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are described. A plurality of specific recognition spaces for small molecules of 1000 Da or less are formed in the MIP, a receptor polymer is present at one end of the specific recognition spaces, a redox probe is present in a wire form, and the small molecule is a steroid hormone or a protein. The sensor is useful in point-of-care applications because it exhibits a rapid and reversible small molecule detection ability through a simple electrochemical regeneration process without cumbersome washing and solution replacement steps in the manufacturing process, thereby enabling continuous detection.

A preparation method of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for separation and concentration of 4-methylsterane compounds is provided. A template molecule, a functional monomer, a porogen, an initiator and a cross-linking agent are mixed and subjected to polymerization to prepare a polymer with the template molecule, which is then treated to remove the template molecule, so as to give the desired MIP. The template molecule is -sitosterol or deoxycholic acid. The obtained molecularly imprinted polymer has multiple stable hole structures and binding sites inside, and has memory and recognition functions for the 4-methylsterane compounds, exhibiting excellent specific adsorption performance. The MIP can contribute to the accurate identification of correlation between depositional environment and maturity of crude oils or source rocks. A molecularly imprinted polymer prepared by such method, a chromatographic column and an application thereof are also provided.