Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Synthetic Receptors for Diagnostic Medical Devices

In recent years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained increasing interest in the bioanalytical field because they are extremely suitable for detecting chemical targets in complex matrices. Their incorporation into sensing devices remains challenging; however, we will present a straightforward sensor platform that is compatible with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a novel readout technique, the heat-transfer method. Impedimetric readout allows for specific detection of neurotransmitters in buffer solutions in the subnanomolar regime and was also evaluated for its use in biological samples such as blood plasma and bowel fluid. The heat-transfer method offers a more straightforward analysis compared with impedance spectroscopy, with similar detection limits in buffer solutions, although detection in biological samples still needs to be analyzed. We show a versatile MIP-based sensor platform that can detect small organic molecules in a fast and low-cost manner, opening the door to applications in biological samples.