Artificial Antibodies Created

Nature is especially adept at producing molecules that can recognize and bind other molecules. For example, antibody molecules will search out and bind a single foreign molecule, called an antigen, from among myriad other natural substances. This type of exquisite molecular recognition has long inspired chemists, who for decades have tried to make molecules that are capable of performing similar feats. Now, a team of chemists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, led by professors Steven C. Zimmerman and Kenneth S. Suslick, has developed a way of creating artificial antibodies. The process — which they describe in the July 25 issue of the journal Nature — is a general approach wherein one molecule imprints its structure within a larger host molecule, in much the same way an object can cast its own shape in plaster of paris.

“This is the first example of molecular imprinting in which a single molecular template is imprinted into a single macromolecule — a highly branched polymer called a dendrimer,” said Zimmerman, a William H. and Janet Lycan Professor of Chemistry at Illinois. “Upon removal of the template, we have a synthetic molecular shell that can bind specifically shaped molecules and reject all others, just like a natural antibody.”

The process Zimmerman and Suslick describe is analogous to Linus Pauling’s 1940 proposal for how antibodies are formed in response to the presence of an antigen. Although Pauling’s mechanism proved to be incorrect, it inspired considerable experimental work, which ultimately led to the modern field of polymer imprinting.

One disadvantage of conventional polymer imprinting is that each “antigen” or template molecule produces an artificial antibody containing all kinds of different binding sites, most of which have poor recognition abilities and are therefore ineffective.

“Using dendrimers for imprinting one molecule against another is much faster and more efficient,” Zimmerman said. “And, having a single binding site within a single polymer means we can more easily separate the good imprints from the bad.”

To make their molecular molds, the researchers begin by attaching wedge-shaped molecules called dendrons to a porphyrin core to create a dendrimer. The flexible dendrimer scaffolding is then cross-linked in a chemical reaction that stitches together the end-groups of the dendrons. Lastly, a hydrolysis reaction chemically clips out the core, leaving a hollow space that can selectively and tightly bind appropriately shaped molecules.

“The technique is similar to the lost wax process used in metal casting,” said Suslick, also a William H. and Janet Lycan Professor of Chemistry at Illinois. “In essence, we are molding this dendrimer around our template and creating a rigid cast that functions like a molecular lock for a molecular key.”

The technique should be applicable to many molecules and a host of molecular recognition tasks. Potential applications include organic catalysts, medical diagnostics, and sensors for various pollutants and chemical warfare agents.

“Right now, we have a conceptual advance,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve shown there’s a new approach that can imprint a single molecule within a single molecule. Ultimately, we envision taking a template, and in a single step growing the scaffolding that can then be linked together to make a rigid mold.”

Comments are closed.

Ram Products Inc Ram Power 35 Craft Jewelry Dental Drill High Speed Center Drill picture

Ram Products Inc Ram Power 35 Craft Jewelry Dental Drill High Speed Center Drill

$250.00



RAM MODULE (COMES WITH WIRING HARDNESS) picture

RAM MODULE (COMES WITH WIRING HARDNESS)

$215.00



Mircom Fire RAM-300-LCDR *Open Box* (bin003) picture

Mircom Fire RAM-300-LCDR *Open Box* (bin003)

$250.00



ROBERTSHAW RAM-4 MODULE picture

ROBERTSHAW RAM-4 MODULE

$220.00



2019 2020 Ram 2500 3500 4500 Mopar Diesel Fuel Filter Set 68436631AA 68157291AA. picture

2019 2020 Ram 2500 3500 4500 Mopar Diesel Fuel Filter Set 68436631AA 68157291AA.

$20.00



2013-2018 RAM 2500 3500 4500 5500 6.7L DIESEL OIL FUEL FILTER KIT MOPAR GENUINE. picture

2013-2018 RAM 2500 3500 4500 5500 6.7L DIESEL OIL FUEL FILTER KIT MOPAR GENUINE.

$50.19



Ignition Module NEW Ram- H4M1-03 Robertshaw picture

Ignition Module NEW Ram- H4M1-03 Robertshaw

$70.00



BlackHawk Dynamic Entry Thunderbolt BH-DE-CQB Ram picture

BlackHawk Dynamic Entry Thunderbolt BH-DE-CQB Ram

$230.00



RAM RI7-D3264 / RI7D3264 (NEW IN BOX) picture

RAM RI7-D3264 / RI7D3264 (NEW IN BOX)

$122.00



1252 , ROI RAM OPTICAL ,INSTR. RECTANGULAR FOR CALIBRATION .  (used) picture

1252 , ROI RAM OPTICAL ,INSTR. RECTANGULAR FOR CALIBRATION .  (used)

$275.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes