[nanoPost] Water Pollution Monitoring using nanosensors

University UK

- Nanomaterials coupled with molecular imprinting deliver highly stable “plastic antibodies” for incorporation in sensors

- Prolific amounts of chemical information are required to feed current environmental models

- Biosensors & biomimetic sensors can furnish both specific and high level information remotely

- Sensors coupled with systems biology can  offer a replacement for bioassays –  an "electronic fish"

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

- Cross-linked polymer formed around a molecule that acts as a template, template subsequently removed.  Imprints containing functional groups complementary to those of template remain in the polymer

Nano MIP

- A new proprietary strategy has been developed for synthesis soluble MIPs with size 30-100 kDa

- Polymers have a block structure and variety of functionalities could be introduced for immobilisation, catalysis or sensing

- Polymers can be purified by affinity chromatography with immobilised template

- Nano-MIPs have very high affinity and selectivity and could be used in affinity separation, assays, sensors as “plastic antibodies” and possibly drugs