Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
(MIPs) are polymers formed via a template-directed synthesis, giving rise to
materials with template-complementary binding sites. These materials are
distinguished from other template-synthesised nanostructured materials by their
ability to rebind their template molecule with high affinity and selectivity.
Thus, materials programmed to recognise a wide range of target structures may
be prepared, with many showing affinities and selectivities on a par with those
of antibodies. However, unlike their biological counterparts, MIPs are easy to
prepare and are extremely robust. This has led to them being studied in many
different contexts, such as solid phase extractions (SPE), enantiomer
separations, sensor devices, catalysis and drug discovery and delivery.
Figure. 1 Group photograph of the participants of GSS MIP 2013 in Belfast |
The aim of this series of free meetings is to give young researchers
active in the field of Molecular Imprinting the opportunity to present their
work, network with other researchers and to be informed of the latest
developments in the area. The invited keynote speakers deliver tutorial
presentations, aiming to educate early-stage researchers in a particular aspect
of the technology.
At this Symposium, the largest since its establishment in 2002, the
organisers welcomed 44 graduate students working in twelve countries, together
with two keynote speakers. There were 25 oral and 17 poster presentations of
very high quality, spanning a wide range of imprinting topics, including tailor-made
functional monomer design and synthesis, polymerisation formats, solid-phase
extractions, membrane separations and sensors. The targets ranged from environmental
pollutants and pharmaceuticals to disease biomarkers and biomacromolecules.
Figure. 2 Irina Valtcheva, winner of the best oral presentation prize at GSS MIP 2013 |
The keynote lectures were delivered by Dr Michael Whitcombe (Cranfield
University, UK), who discussed some “myths and legends” of Molecular
Imprinting, and Dr Richard Ansell (University of Leeds, UK), who explained the
nature of pre-polymerisation interactions between functional monomers and
templates and presented methods of studying the complexes formed.
The invited speakers, together with the organisers, were tasked with
judging the quality of each presentation, which resulted in the award of a Best
Oral presentation to Irina Valtcheva (Imperial College London, UK), and Best
Poster presentation to Evelien Kellens (Hasselt University, Belgium). Each student
received a book prize kindly donated by RSC Publishing.
Figure. 3 Evelien Kellens, winner of the best poster prize at GSS MIP 2013 |
The high levels of participation in the Q&A section after each talk, the
lively discussions at the poster sessions and during the breaks and social
events and the very positive feedback received at the end of the Symposium,
verified that the informal format of the meeting appeals to early-stage
researchers. The opportunity to meet and converse with the invited speakers was
also particularly welcomed.
In closing, the Organising Committee consisting of Prof Börje Sellergren
(University of Malmö, Sweden), Dr Andrew J Hall (University of Kent, UK) and Dr
Panagiotis Manesiotis (Queen’s University Belfast, UK), wish to express their
gratitude to the Materials Division of the RSC and the Marie Curie EU FP7 Network (PEPMIP) for the financial support which allowed this meeting to take place as a free event. We also thank all the graduate students who attended for their contribution to the success of the meeting and look forward to the next
Symposium which we intend to hold in 2015.
Posted on 21 August 2013 at 08:05:37 by Panagiotis Manesiotis | |