Abstract

This thesis presents the rapid synthesis and advanced characterization of nanoscale molecularly imprinted polymers (nanoMIPs), offering a powerful alternative to biological antibodies. Through the development of innovative fabrication protocols, nanoMIPs were produced in under 24 hours with high yields (up to 500 mg/day across 13 batches), exceptional affinity (dissociation constants as low as 10⁻¹¹ M), and remarkable selectivity (target: non-target ratio of 100:1). These optimized nanoMIPs demonstrate consistent performance across multiple targets such as Proteins like Bovine haemoglobin and nucleocapsid protein, addressing key limitations of traditional antibody production, such as stability, cost, and batch variability.

Novel electrochemical techniques were also developed for real-time nanoMIP characterization, enabling precise assessment of binding kinetics and affinity under biologically relevant conditions. These characterization tools enhance our understanding of nanoMIP behaviour at the nanoscale and lay the foundation for their reliable integration into diagnostic and sensing platforms.

The synthesized nanoMIPs were successfully applied in antibody replacement strategies, with the aim to seamlessly integrate them into existing workflows. This compatibility underscores their translational potential and supports their growing role in diagnostics, biosensing, and therapeutic monitoring. The results of this research highlight nanoMIPs as a disruptive and scalable alternative to conventional antibodies, with broad implications for next-generation molecular recognition technologies in the life sciences.