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Drug assay using antibody mimics made by molecular imprinting

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Abstract

LIGAND-BINDING assays are used for determination of minute amounts of substances in the bloodstream. Such assays require a receptor that specifically binds the substance of interest. The receptor used is often an antibody1–5, but antibodies require special handling and a costly production procedure5. We have used molecular imprinting, a method for creating selective recognition sites in synthetic polymers6–8, to prepare polymers that mimic antibody combining sites. Molecular imprints made against theophylline9 and diazepam10 showed strong binding and cross-reactivity profiles similar to those of antibodies. Here we describe a new radiolabelled ligand-binding assay, the molecularly im-printed sorbent assay, which uses antibody mimics. This assay accurately measures drug levels in human serum, with results comparable to those obtained using a well established immunoassay technique. Antibody mimics, which are stable and readily prepared by molecular imprinting, may provide a useful general alternative to antibodies.

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Author notes

  1. George Vlatakis

    Present address: Foundation for Research and Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

  2. Ralf Müller

    Present address: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Ostrasse 1, 2000, Norderstedt, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Chemical Centre, University of Lund, PO Box 124, S-221 00, Lund, Sweden

    George Vlatakis, Lars I. Andersson, Ralf Müller & Klaus Mosbach

Authors
  1. George Vlatakis
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  2. Lars I. Andersson
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  3. Ralf Müller
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  4. Klaus Mosbach
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Vlatakis, G., Andersson, L., Müller, R. et al. Drug assay using antibody mimics made by molecular imprinting. Nature 361, 645–647 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/361645a0

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