Inventors: Al-Obaidi AHR, McStay D, Quinn PJ
Patent Title: Raman technique for detecting molecular interactions in molecularly imprinted polymers
Publication date: 2002
Publication number: WO0208735

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy provides an effective optical technique for detecting and quantifying the binding of molecules to selective sites in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP's) with less sensitivity to cracks which occur on the surfaces of MIP's. Typically, the MIP acts as an artificial antibody by incubation of functional monomers with antigen to enable binding sites for a particular antigen within an antibody to be artificially synthesised. After polymerisation, the imprint molecule is washed away to leave cavities which are complementary to the original antigen molecule. Raman spectroscopy may then be sued to detect any subsequent binding of antigen to the artificial antibody formed by a MIP. Similarly it provides a technique for monitoring template binding in a MIP, and a suitable system for quantitating drugs in solution. The technique is exemplified by reference to triazine, BOC-phenylalamine, and 2,2'-bipyridyl as template molecules.
URL: http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=WO0208735&F=0