Final Report Summary - IRMED (Intelligent recognition materials for extraction and detection)
The IRMED project was focused on the development and optimisation of intelligent recognition materials for applications in extraction and detection, focusing on the molecular imprinting approach. The consortium was represented by two academic partners together with an industrial team, Polyintell, that has considerable experience of developing imprinted polymers. The teams had a common scientific interest in the application of molecular imprinting for the preparation of new intelligent materials and the use of these materials in synthesis, catalysis and assay devices while the scientific background of the groups is divergent ranging from bioengineering and nanobiotechnology to synthetic chemistry and polymer chemistry all the way to product oriented research and technology R&D.
The three scientific objectives of the project were: (i) development and optimisation of new imprinted polymers; (ii) MIP products and applications to the market (iii) new concepts and innovative thinking in intelligent recognition materials.
The field of molecular imprinting has now reached an important stage where further technological advance will require closer interactions of academia and industry. Researchers with broad competences in chemistry, chemical technology as well as product development are needed to bring this promising and truly European technique into its new stage of application and commercialisation. The close collaboration between academic teams and an SME fully involved in this area, working together on this project provided the ideal platform.
2. Description of the work performed in the IRMED project.
Scientific work packages
Work Package 1 focused on the short term development and optimisation of new molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). All three teams have actively worked on this work package with a combination of efforts of newly employed researchers as well as seconded researchers, especially from the academic teams to the industrial partner.
Target analytes were selected following the priorities indicated by the industrial team, in particular mycotoin citrinin, the steroid testosterone, tamoxifen and propranolol were chosen because of their potential industrial significance.Synthesis of the monomers and also signalling monomers has been achieved together with the preparation of binding monomers. These have been used for the synthesis of imprinted polymers using a combination of different formats, ranging from nanogels, to bulk polymers to film bead and also nanofilament layers. The polymers have been characterised and studies of the rebinding characteristics carried out. Some of the nanoparticles have shown very good activity and have been taken to the next stage of development. In addition quantum dots based on Zn-S were prepared at QMUL although their incorporation in the MIPs has yet to be achieved.
Workpackage 2: A new type of fluorometric sensor based on optical fiber with an MIP-tip was constructed to detect and measure non-fluorescent targets. A new measurement protocol using the newly purchased Fluoremeter was developed. Interfacing and integration was also achieved using two different approaches by QMUL and CNRS using immobilization of MIP nanogels through conventional coupling techniques,as well as surface-initiated in situ synthesis of MIP layers. Both milestones in this workpackage were achieved, focusing on the demonstration of a qualitative device and also quantitative device using deoxynyvalenol as the target. Protocols for extractions and quantification of the target from different sources were optimized by one of the researchers seconded from QMUL to Polyintell.
Work package 3: long term R&D - innovative thinking
Work on WP3 started later than expected, and to a certain degree was not entirely achieved mainly as a result of the inability of the Network to complete the recruitment and the secondment plan.Important advances and achievements were obtained with trypsin as the protein template and also using Efavirenz, an important drug used for the treatment of HIV.
The solid-phase synthesis approach developed by CNRS has undoubtedly brought a technology advance for protein imprinting. In addition considerable results have been obtained on the imprinting of proteins as well as peptides, developing a protocol that can be more widely used.
Work package 4: training
The training and transfer of knowledge program involved at total of 3 summer training schools and three international meetings. The 3rd Training School took place in September 2013 and was organised together with two other larger EC Marie Curie Actions, ITN, FP7 chemistry research projects CHEBANA and NANODRUG to facilitate exchange of training opportunities and provide superb networking facilities for all the fellows from the three projects. This event was very successful and highlighted the importance of interactions between different Networks as a very constructive approach. The feedback from the fellows was also very positive.
The intersectorial secondments of researchers, between academic teams and the industrial partner, has only been partially achieved.Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, Polyintell was not able to recruit the ER within the required timeframe and QMUL was not able to second the third fellows for a period of 8 months.
The secondments and recruitments within IRMED have worked according to plan in terms of scientific training and professional development. The fellows have enjoyed living and working in a different country. They have consolidated their professional and personal friendship to each other and there have been a lot of exchanges at all levels.
POLYINTELL was able to offer training in innovative MIP technology and materials and gave a chance to ESRs to have a working experience in industry. This work experience allowed Fellows to improve their laboratory and scientific skills in general as well as their language skills. During their placement, Fellows were also trained in using lots of new equipment and materials that they could not otherwise had the opportunity to do during their PhD.
In addition the MC fellows have each followed specific training courses at local level, either during their secondment or during their contract (for the ERs employed by the teams). A number of new collaborations and networking opportunities for the fellows have been provided by the PIs and the hosting teams.
More information about the project can be found on the website:
www.irmed.qmul.ac.uk
The three scientific objectives of the project were: (i) development and optimisation of new imprinted polymers; (ii) MIP products and applications to the market (iii) new concepts and innovative thinking in intelligent recognition materials.
The field of molecular imprinting has now reached an important stage where further technological advance will require closer interactions of academia and industry. Researchers with broad competences in chemistry, chemical technology as well as product development are needed to bring this promising and truly European technique into its new stage of application and commercialisation. The close collaboration between academic teams and an SME fully involved in this area, working together on this project provided the ideal platform.
2. Description of the work performed in the IRMED project.
Scientific work packages
Work Package 1 focused on the short term development and optimisation of new molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). All three teams have actively worked on this work package with a combination of efforts of newly employed researchers as well as seconded researchers, especially from the academic teams to the industrial partner.
Target analytes were selected following the priorities indicated by the industrial team, in particular mycotoin citrinin, the steroid testosterone, tamoxifen and propranolol were chosen because of their potential industrial significance.Synthesis of the monomers and also signalling monomers has been achieved together with the preparation of binding monomers. These have been used for the synthesis of imprinted polymers using a combination of different formats, ranging from nanogels, to bulk polymers to film bead and also nanofilament layers. The polymers have been characterised and studies of the rebinding characteristics carried out. Some of the nanoparticles have shown very good activity and have been taken to the next stage of development. In addition quantum dots based on Zn-S were prepared at QMUL although their incorporation in the MIPs has yet to be achieved.
Workpackage 2: A new type of fluorometric sensor based on optical fiber with an MIP-tip was constructed to detect and measure non-fluorescent targets. A new measurement protocol using the newly purchased Fluoremeter was developed. Interfacing and integration was also achieved using two different approaches by QMUL and CNRS using immobilization of MIP nanogels through conventional coupling techniques,as well as surface-initiated in situ synthesis of MIP layers. Both milestones in this workpackage were achieved, focusing on the demonstration of a qualitative device and also quantitative device using deoxynyvalenol as the target. Protocols for extractions and quantification of the target from different sources were optimized by one of the researchers seconded from QMUL to Polyintell.
Work package 3: long term R&D - innovative thinking
Work on WP3 started later than expected, and to a certain degree was not entirely achieved mainly as a result of the inability of the Network to complete the recruitment and the secondment plan.Important advances and achievements were obtained with trypsin as the protein template and also using Efavirenz, an important drug used for the treatment of HIV.
The solid-phase synthesis approach developed by CNRS has undoubtedly brought a technology advance for protein imprinting. In addition considerable results have been obtained on the imprinting of proteins as well as peptides, developing a protocol that can be more widely used.
Work package 4: training
The training and transfer of knowledge program involved at total of 3 summer training schools and three international meetings. The 3rd Training School took place in September 2013 and was organised together with two other larger EC Marie Curie Actions, ITN, FP7 chemistry research projects CHEBANA and NANODRUG to facilitate exchange of training opportunities and provide superb networking facilities for all the fellows from the three projects. This event was very successful and highlighted the importance of interactions between different Networks as a very constructive approach. The feedback from the fellows was also very positive.
The intersectorial secondments of researchers, between academic teams and the industrial partner, has only been partially achieved.Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, Polyintell was not able to recruit the ER within the required timeframe and QMUL was not able to second the third fellows for a period of 8 months.
The secondments and recruitments within IRMED have worked according to plan in terms of scientific training and professional development. The fellows have enjoyed living and working in a different country. They have consolidated their professional and personal friendship to each other and there have been a lot of exchanges at all levels.
POLYINTELL was able to offer training in innovative MIP technology and materials and gave a chance to ESRs to have a working experience in industry. This work experience allowed Fellows to improve their laboratory and scientific skills in general as well as their language skills. During their placement, Fellows were also trained in using lots of new equipment and materials that they could not otherwise had the opportunity to do during their PhD.
In addition the MC fellows have each followed specific training courses at local level, either during their secondment or during their contract (for the ERs employed by the teams). A number of new collaborations and networking opportunities for the fellows have been provided by the PIs and the hosting teams.
More information about the project can be found on the website:
www.irmed.qmul.ac.uk