Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses
Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses

Biomimetic Functional Materials

Biomimetic sensors
© Fraunhofer IZI-BB

Cytochrome C binding to molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) compared to non-imprinted control polymer (NIP)

Biomimetic sensors that use artificial receptor polymers such as MIPs (molecularly imprinted polymers) offer new analytical options when antibodies are not available or desired. MIPs can be synthesized as polymers on the multi-gram scale and used with extreme pH levels or in organic solvents, i.e. under process conditions that no protein can withstand. Our research focuses on receptor polymers with energetically homogenous binding sites that bind to their target molecule in aqueous solutions. These water-compatible “monoclonal” MIPs can be used as a replacement for antibodies in sensors. We offer you objective advice and work with you to develop a realistic application scenario for biomimetic sensors.

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Immunglobulin G (IgG)-Binding MIP

Molecularly-imprinted polymer under REM
© Fraunhofer IZI-BB

Molecularly-imprinted polymer under REM

The Functional Integration High-Performance Center (LIM) develops artificial receptor polymers (MIPs) that can selectively bind to a specific class of proteins (human IgG) in complex mixtures. These materials may eventually be used for cost-effective purification of therapeutic antibodies.

Influenza A-Binding Peptide-Decorated Polymer Film

The objective of the BMBF-funded FluType project is to enable the subtyping of influenza A viruses using specific peptides as detection elements and without animal testing. To achieve stronger binding and greater sensitivity, the peptides are immobilized on polymer films with a three-dimensional structure.

  • Electropolymerization system
  • Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)
  • Label-free MIP thermistor

  • Robert Koch Institute
  • LXP Group GmbH
  • Institut für Dünnschichtsensorik und Mikrotechnologie Teltow e.V.
  • University of Potsdam, Molecular Bioanalytics and Bioelectronics

  • Jetzschmann K. J., Jágerszki G., Dechtrirat D., Yarman A., Gajovic-Eichelmann N., Gilsing H.-D., Schulz B., Gyurcsányi R. E., Scheller F. W. (2015) Vectorially Imprinted Hybrid Nanofilm for Acetylcholinesterase Recognition. Adv. Funct. Mater. 32: S. 5178-5183
  • Dechtrirat D., Gajovic-Eichelmann, N., Scheller, F.W., Bier, F.F. (2014) Electrosynthesized Surface Confined Imprint and Sugar Furnished Monolayer as a Hybrid Material for Signal Amplifying and Highly Selective Protein Sensing. Adv. Funct. Mater., 24: S. 2233-2239
  • Dechtrirat D, Gajovic-Eichelmann N, Wojcik F, Hartmann L, Bier FF, Scheller FW. (2014) Electrochemical displacement sensor based on ferrocene boronic acid tracer and immobilized glycan for saccharide binding proteins and E. Coli. Biosens Bioelectron. 58 (2014): S. 1-8.
  • Dechtrirat D., Jetzschmann, K. J., Stöcklein, W.F.M., Scheller, F.W., Gajovic-Eichelmann, N. (2012) Protein Rebinding to a Surface-Confined Imprint.  Adv.Funct. Mater. 22, 5231-5237
  • Athikomrattanakul U., Gajovic-Eichelmann N., Scheller F.W. Thermometric Sensing of Nitrofurantoin by Noncovalently Imprinted Polymers Containing Two Complementary Functional Monomers. Anal. Chem. 2011; 83(20), 7704–7711