Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
09:13
Plasmonic Trapping and Release of Nanoparticles in a Monitoring Environment
Published on: April 4, 2017
7.9K
Deformable molecularly imprinted nanogels permit sensitivity-gain in plasmonic sensing
Nunzio Cennamo1, Devid Maniglio2, Roberta Tatti3
1University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Engineering, Via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, Italy.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|April 11, 2020
Summary
Soft molecularly imprinted nanogels (nanoMIPs) selectively bind human transferrin (HTR). These nanoMIPs deform upon HTR binding, significantly amplifying signals on a plasmonic sensor for ultra-sensitive detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Molecularly imprinted nanogels (nanoMIPs) offer high selectivity for target analytes.
- Soft nanoMIPs present unique opportunities for signal transduction mechanisms in biosensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop soft nanoMIPs for selective human transferrin (HTR) detection.
- To investigate the analyte-induced deformation of soft nanoMIPs for enhanced plasmonic sensing.
Main Methods:
- Template-assisted synthesis of soft nanoMIPs selective for HTR.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to measure nanoMIP stiffness changes upon HTR binding.
- Integration of nanoMIPs with a plastic optical fibre (POF) plasmonic platform for sensing.
Main Results:
- Soft nanoMIPs demonstrated selective binding to HTR.
- HTR binding induced significant stiffening of nanoMIPs (Young's modulus increased from 17 ± 6 kPa to 56 ± 18 kPa).
- The analyte-induced deformation amplified plasmonic signals, achieving ultra-low limits of detection (LOD = 1.2 fM).
Conclusions:
- Soft nanoMIPs exhibiting analyte-induced deformation are effective sensitivity-gain elements.
- This approach enables highly sensitive HTR detection using plasmonic sensors.
- The developed platform shows potential for advanced biosensing applications.
