Selective fluorescence detection of proteins using molecularly imprinted hydrogels with aggregation-induced emission

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Molecular imprinting creates selective adsorbent materials, but detecting adsorbed molecules is challenging.
• Current methods lack definitive and easy detection for target molecule adsorption in molecularly imprinted polymers.
• Fluorescence detection offers a sensitive approach but requires integration with imprinting techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a molecularly imprinted hydrogel (MIH) for selective protein detection using fluorescence.
• To integrate aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties into MIHs for enhanced signal detection.
• To enable straightforward and specific optical detection of target proteins, even in complex mixtures.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) monomer.
• Preparation of molecularly imprinted hydrogels (MIHs) using the AIE monomer, functional monomers, and poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate crosslinker.
• Utilizing lysozyme as the target protein for imprinting and detection.

Main Results:

• The synthesized MIHs demonstrated selective adsorption of lysozyme.
• A specific increase in fluorescent intensity was observed upon lysozyme adsorption.
• Successful optical detection of lysozyme was achieved even within a mixture of proteins.

Conclusions:

• The developed fluorescent MIHs enable selective protein recognition and sensitive fluorescence detection.
• The integration of AIE molecules provides a robust platform for optical sensing in molecular imprinting.
• This approach offers a promising solution for overcoming detection challenges in molecular imprinting applications.