NanoMIPs, often called “plastic antibodies”, are made using a proprietary self-assembly process where the template molecule is incubated with monomers, each of which is free in solution to adopt its optimal binding position, followed by a polymerisation step. By closely controlling the polymerisation, we have the ability to manufacture discrete nanoparticles typically with a single binding site, or imprint, of the template molecule. Each imprint is the correct “size and shape” for the target molecule and also have the corresponding complementary chemical functionality to enhance binding: H-bond acceptor for H bond donor etc. Once synthesised the nanoMIPs can be collected according to their affinity for the target (typically in the low nM range), or indeed to a selectivity target to meet the needs of the application. Furthermore, having a polyethylene backbone, nanoMIPs are extremely robust and highly resistant to pH, solvents and temperature. It is even possible to autoclave nanoMIPs without loss of function. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Learn how synthetic polymer based nanoparticles can be developed as an alternative affinity reagent to antibodies.
2. Learn how these nanoMIPs have been applied to a range of different projects from epitope mapping, imaging and sensor development to drug delivery