Abstract: The application provides a method of detecting an analyte in a sample. The method comprises disposing a binding agent in an electrochemical compartment. The binding agent is configured to bind to an interfering species. The method further comprises disposing a solution comprising a sample in the electrochemical compartment. The sample comprises an analyte and the interfering species. The method then comprises applying a voltage across first and second spaced apart electrodes disposed in the solution, and thereby causing a current to flow through the solution between the electrodes. Finally, the method comprises measuring the current and/or voltage and thereby detecting the analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the characterisation and analysis of proteins. Methods are provided for determining, on a protein, a binding site for a binding partner, the methods comprising: contacting a protein with a plurality of monomers, and polymerising the monomers to create a protein:polymer complex; digesting the protein in the complex to produce a peptide:polymer complex; isolating the peptide:polymer complex; and sequencing the peptide, wherein the peptide corresponds to a binding site for a binding partner.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor comprising first and second electrodes. The first electrode has a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) immobilised thereon and the MIP comprises a redox label and is imprinted with an analyte. The disclosure also provides methods of producing such sensors, methods of detecting and determining the concentration of analytes and the use of the electrochemical sensors for the detection of analytes.

Abstract: The application provides a method of detecting an analyte in a sample. The method comprises disposing a binding agent in in an electrochemical compartment. The binding agent is configured to bind to an interfering species. The method further comprises disposing a solution comprising a sample in the electrochemical compartment. The sample comprises an analyte and the interfering species. The method then comprises applying a voltage across first and second spaced apart electrodes disposed in the solution, and thereby causing a current to flow through the solution between the electrodes. Finally, the method comprises measuring the current and/or voltage and thereby detecting the analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the characterisation and analysis of proteins. Methods are provided for determining, on a protein, a binding site for a binding partner, the methods comprising: contacting a protein with a plurality of monomers, and polymerising the monomers to create a protein:polymer complex; digesting the protein in the complex to produce a peptide:polymer complex; isolating the peptide:polymer complex; and sequencing the peptide, wherein the peptide corresponds to a binding site for a binding partner.

Abstract: Soluble or colloidal nanoparticles of molecularly imprinted polymer are produced reliably and consistently in a photoreactor with a reaction vessel (18) containing a solid phase (14) bearing immobilised template. Parameters such as temperature, fluid flows and irradiation time are controlled by a computer (52).

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and polymers for solid phase extraction by binding an analyte containing a primary amino group. The polymer is a reactive polymer, wherein binding of the analyte to the polymer causes fluorescent isoindole complex formation. A method of binding comprises use of an SPE carrier, such as an SPE cartridge, loaded with a reactive polymer. Binding of an analyte is detected by observing changes in fluorescence after applying the analyte to the polymer. Fluorescence can be detected using a fluorometer or transilluminator, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the reactive polymer is prepared from a monomer mixture comprising acetonitrile and triethylamine.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises a fluorescent polymer contained within a solid-phase extraction (SPE) carrier. The fluorescent polymer is capable of adsorbing an analyte by means of functional monomers. In use of the apparatus, a sample, such as a foodstuff sample, is applied to the fluorescent polymer. If the sample comprises the analyte, adsorption of the analyte onto the fluorescent polymer causes quenching of the fluorescence of the fluorescent polymer. Fluorescence quenching can be detected using a fluorometer or transillumination system. The method can be used to determine whether mycotoxins are present in foodstuff samples.

Abstract: Polymers suitable for binding aflatoxins for use for in solid phase extraction of aflatoxins and immobilisation of aflatoxins in solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for qualitative or quantitative analysis of aflatoxins in solutions extracted from foodstuffs or feedstuffs are prepared from allylamine; methylene bisacrylamide (MBAA); acrylamide, ethyleneglycol-methacrylate phosphate (EGMP); 4-vinyl pyridine; or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulfonic acid (AMPSA) monomers. Preferred embodiments are polymers containing acrylamide moieties such as acrylamide and MBAA. The polymers are preferably cross-linked, for example using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or divinyl benzene (DVB), and macroporous.

Abstract: Polymers capable of binding ochratoxins are disclosed. The polymers may be used for solid phase extraction of ochratoxins and immobilisation of ochratoxins in solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, for qualitative or quantitative analysis of ochratoxins in liquid extracts from foodstuffs or animal feeds. The polymers may be prepared from monomers containing amido or amino-alkyl moieties and acid moieties. Preferred embodiments are polymers prepared from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulfonic acid (AMPSA) and from a mixture of diethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEM) and itaconic acid (IA). The polymers are preferably cross-linked, for example using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or divinyl benzene (DVB), and made macroporous by polymerisation in the presence of a porogen solvent such as dimethyl formamide (DMF).

Abstract: A polymer able to bind a target compound selectively is designed by producing a virtual library of polymerisable monomers, and molecular models of the target compound and one or more potential interferents. The library is screened to identify monomers with substantial differences in strengths of binding to (a) target and (b) interferent. Monomers favouring the target may be used to produce polymers for selectively binding the target, for use in separation or analytical processes.

Abstract: Monomers (e.g. thinphenes) are caused to polymerise by mixing them with an oxidising agent (and generally a solvent comprising water) and irradiating the mixture with light (visible or UV). Polymer properties can be varied by doping or chemical modification. Uses include sensor elements for assays and electrical components such as electrodes.

Abstract: Highly porous substance-selective polymeric membranes are produced by co-polymerisation of functional monomers and cross-linker in the presence of template, plasticiser (non-extractable component), and pore-forming component (extractable component). Extraction of the template and porogen molecules leads to the formation of small (<100 nm) and large (>500 nm) pores, including small pores having a shape and arrangement of functional groups complementary to the template molecule. The membranes possess enhanced affinity towards the template and its analogues and also have high flexibility and porosity. Such membranes can be used in analytical chemistry (as sensor elements and for solid-phase extraction materials) for applications in pharmacology, medicine, the food industry, water purification and environmental clean up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device comprising a body structure which comprises a fusible material. Selective application of energy (e.g. scanning radiation) produces and maintains a network of microchannels by fusing the material. There may be pons in fluid communication with one or more channels. The subject devices find use in a variety of electrophoretic applications, including clinical assays, high throughput screening for genomics, proteomics and pharmaceutical applications, point-of-care in vitro diagnostics, molecular genetic analysis and nucleic acid diagnostics, cell separations, and bioresearch generally.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a template-textured material by synthesis of a template-textured polymer (TTP) by performing crosslinking polymerization of functional monomers on a support in the presence of a template, which method is characterized in that a support having a thin polymer layer on the surface thereof is added with a reaction mixture consisting of polymerization initiator, template, functional monomer, crosslinker, solvent and/or buffer and, following sorption of the reaction mixture in the thin polymer layer, the polymerization is initiated and continued until the absorption capacity of the thin polymer layer for the template-textured polymer (TTP) is reached, and the template is optionally removed in a final step, the support used being selected in such a way that it cannot absorb the reaction solution. The materials of the invention are remarkable for their high binding specificity and selectivity for the template.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a template-textured material by synthesis of a template-textured polymer (TTP) by performing crosslinking polymerization of functional monomers on a support in the presence of a template, which method is characterized in that a support having a thin polymer layer on the surface thereof is added with a reaction mixture consisting of polymerization initiator, template, functional monomer, crosslinker, solvent and/or buffer and, following sorption of the reaction mixture in the thin polymer layer, the polymerization is initiated and continued until the absorption capacity of the thin polymer layer for the template-textured polymer (TTP) is reached, and the template is optionally removed in a final step, the support used being selected in such a way that it cannot absorb the reaction solution. The materials of the invention are remarkable for their high binding specificity and selectivity for the template.