Development of self-assembled MIPs

Lipoate derivatives were used for the formation of self-assembled imprinted thin molecular films (SA-MIPs) for the recognition of morphine. A large collection of lipoate derivatives was screened by molecular dynamics studies in various solvents. The most interesting candidates of building blocks were synthesized, and monolayer formation was studied in the absence and presence of morphine added as the template. The binding of ligands and morphine to gold, as well as the association/dissociation of morphine to the formed layers were studied with Surface Plasmon Resonance. The procedure of producing these thin films is experimentally straightforward, comprising only an adsorption (self-assembly) step, and a washing routine to remove bound template, without the need for polymerisation of the layer. The method, however, critically depends on which type of ligands is used. Imprinted factors were highly variable and were dependent on mixing ratio and pH.