Imprinting of silicas with fluorophores

A report by Lulka and Chambers [27] describes the properties of surface-imprinted silicas using A-acetyltryptophanamide (NATA) or fluorescein (Fig. 20.9) as templates. Silica gel was mixed with bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminopropyltriethoxysi-lane (as functional monomer), tetraethoxysilane and the template and the slurry 

Toward optical sensors for biologically active molecules 

These results are rather preliminary, but illustrate an alternative method for the determination of inherently fluorescent molecules (such as NATA) or labelled compounds of low molecular weight. Further advances in the preparation of the MlPs (homogeneity of particles and binding sites), the measurement technique (preparation of the cards, direct measurement of suspended particles) and enhancement of their mass transfer characteristics and selectivity should greatly increase the utility of this technique. 

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