MIP sensor seeks antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains

The technique involves using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), also known as polymeric antibody-mimics because of their ability to bond to a target molecule.

They are made from monomers which resemble amino acid structures and interact with bacteria in similar ways to antibodies, said Dr Marloes Peeters of the Advanced Materials group at Newcastle University School of Engineering, and principal investigator for the EPSRC-funded project. The polymers can be tailored to give them an affinity to bond to a particular target, such as a strain of bacteria that has developed resistance to antibiotics.

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In previous work Dr Peeters’ group had demonstrated that the binding of the target to an MIP altered the conduction of heat through the polymer, leading to a temperature differential that is dependent on the concentration of the target bacteria. This can be measured in the lab by inserting the sensor into a flow cell, connected to a thermal sensor (a thermocouple device). This has been patented as the Heat Transfer Method.