January / February 2004

Graduate Research – Lisa Kindschy

Title: A Molecularly Imprinted Membrane Sensor for Toxin Detection

Molecular imprinting is a technique of creating artificial recognition sites within a polymer. The finished polymer has molecular cavities that are specific in their chemical shape and orientation such that only one molecule will fit into the imprinted site. The concept is similar to a lock and key, where only one key will fit into a particular lock. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) fall under the area of biomimetics, which uses human-made materials and devices to copy those found in nature. These areas are expanding and will be crucial to designing novel sensors for the detection of a variety of compounds. MIPs have several advantages; they are rigid and stable, are resistant to degradation from extreme heat or pHs, and can be produced for compounds where no antibodies are available. The potential for MIPs to be used in a variety of sensors continues to grow, with the prospect of designing the sensor at the nanoscale level. Dr. Evangelyn Alocilja and I are researching a MIP for use in a conductometric sensor for the detection of food borne toxins.

Imprinted olymer a platinum film

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February 2, 2004