Abstract: A novel fluorescent imaging system was established to monitor ligand-receptor interactions. Fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FNPs) conjugated with ligand molecules were employed as ligands and molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) as artificial receptors in this work. Fluorescent silica nano-particles which have controllable and uniform size of 120 nm were synthesized and characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The FNPs with excitation and emission peaks at 289 nm and 570 nm provide strong fluorescence intensity, excellent photostability, and easy surface modification. L-phenylalaninamide was employed as a test ligand and MIP template. By use of grafting initiator of 4,4'-azobis (4-cyanovaleric acid), a MIP receptor membrane was firmly grafted on the support layer by layer. Results showed that the specific affinity between artificial MIP receptor and ligand conjugated to the FNPs can be successfully monitored. It also suggests that the designed imaging system is suitable of studying molecular interactions and has a great potential for further application
Template and target information: L-phenylalaninamide
Author keywords: Fluorescent probe, Ligand-receptor interaction, molecular imprinting, nanoparticles

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