Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are types of polymers that are processed using different molecular imprinting techniques resulting in cavities with an affinity for a chosen molecule. The process can be performed in various ways where the chosen molecule can be used as a template which then is extracted to create the molecule-specific cavities. MIPs have been extensively used in sensor systems as they can be utilized as synthetic antibodies. They can also be tailored to obtain desired functionality and morphology; hence, they can be used as a recognition template for the detection of specific molecules. There has been an emerging interest in developing MIP-based sensors that can provide easy and affordable solutions to various technological applications.
MIPs are very promising candidates to replace antibodies as a cheap and sustainable choice. However, there are implicit challenges that need to be addressed before it can be widely used in the market. One of the challenges is that every molecule is unique and might need a different combination of monomer and crosslinker for example hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules would require different monomers. Therefore, intelligent monomer selection would be needed to achieve the best performance. Another standing challenge is template removal. There is always a compromise between the full removal of the template molecule and damaging the polymer structure. New approaches must be applied to fine-tune this problem. Finally, simultaneous measurement for continuous monitoring is also another challenge in MIP-based sensors as a careful regeneration process would be needed without affecting the sensor performance. In this Research Topic, the above-mentioned problems and beyond are associated with MIP-based sensors and will be addressed to provide a comprehensive collection of literature data. The MIP technology is very promising for sensor applications, but critical advancements are needed for their practical use in the market especially for environmental and medical applications. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to present studies that are tackling the problems of MIP-based sensors.
This Research Topic will focus on various types of MIP-based sensors and their potential applications including novel techniques for MIP preparation, MIP application on different sensor platforms, and applications.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• MIP-based sensors using electrochemical, optical, and/or other techniques.
• Continuous monitoring using MIP-based sensors.
• Simultaneous sensing of multiple analytes using MIP-based sensors.
• Design and synthesis of MIPs for specific biosensing applications
• Study of the nanostructure and cross-linking relationships of MIPs with respect to the binding efficiency, selectivity, and sensitivity of various sensors
Editors Samet Sahin and Zafer Üstündağ own shares in CSense Kimya A.Ş, Turkey. The review of any manuscripts submitted with authors employed by this company will be handled by one of the other editors in the team.
Keywords:
molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), sensors, biosensors, MIP design
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are types of polymers that are processed using different molecular imprinting techniques resulting in cavities with an affinity for a chosen molecule. The process can be performed in various ways where the chosen molecule can be used as a template which then is extracted to create the molecule-specific cavities. MIPs have been extensively used in sensor systems as they can be utilized as synthetic antibodies. They can also be tailored to obtain desired functionality and morphology; hence, they can be used as a recognition template for the detection of specific molecules. There has been an emerging interest in developing MIP-based sensors that can provide easy and affordable solutions to various technological applications.
MIPs are very promising candidates to replace antibodies as a cheap and sustainable choice. However, there are implicit challenges that need to be addressed before it can be widely used in the market. One of the challenges is that every molecule is unique and might need a different combination of monomer and crosslinker for example hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules would require different monomers. Therefore, intelligent monomer selection would be needed to achieve the best performance. Another standing challenge is template removal. There is always a compromise between the full removal of the template molecule and damaging the polymer structure. New approaches must be applied to fine-tune this problem. Finally, simultaneous measurement for continuous monitoring is also another challenge in MIP-based sensors as a careful regeneration process would be needed without affecting the sensor performance. In this Research Topic, the above-mentioned problems and beyond are associated with MIP-based sensors and will be addressed to provide a comprehensive collection of literature data. The MIP technology is very promising for sensor applications, but critical advancements are needed for their practical use in the market especially for environmental and medical applications. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to present studies that are tackling the problems of MIP-based sensors.
This Research Topic will focus on various types of MIP-based sensors and their potential applications including novel techniques for MIP preparation, MIP application on different sensor platforms, and applications.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• MIP-based sensors using electrochemical, optical, and/or other techniques.
• Continuous monitoring using MIP-based sensors.
• Simultaneous sensing of multiple analytes using MIP-based sensors.
• Design and synthesis of MIPs for specific biosensing applications
• Study of the nanostructure and cross-linking relationships of MIPs with respect to the binding efficiency, selectivity, and sensitivity of various sensors
Editors Samet Sahin and Zafer Üstündağ own shares in CSense Kimya A.Ş, Turkey. The review of any manuscripts submitted with authors employed by this company will be handled by one of the other editors in the team.
Keywords:
molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), sensors, biosensors, MIP design
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.