Selective Binding of Complex Glycans and Glycoproteins in Water by Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles

Synthetic receptors to recognize biological glycans are in great need for modern glycoscience and technology, but their design and synthesis have been a daunting challenge due to strong solvation of carbohydrates in water and structural complexity of the guest. Molecular imprinting in surfactant micelles with amide cross-linkers provides a convenient one-pot method to prepare nanoparticle receptors for glycosides, glycans, and glycoproteins, taking advantage of hydrogen-bonding interactions near the surfactant/water interface. Biologically competitive micromolar binding affinities were obtained in water and subtle structural differences of glycans could be distinguished.