title: Molecularly imprinted sol-gel materials for medical applications.
abstract: The present review deals with the sol-gel imprinting of both drug and non-drug templates of medical relevance, namely neurotransmitters, biomarkers, hormones, proteins and cells. Nearly a hundred recent works, either developmental or applied in a medical-related context, were critically analyzed. It may be concluded that, although research is still at an early stage, the potential of these sol-gel materials was well demonstrated in a few applications of critical interest for medicinal/biomedical science. The vast room left for expansion and improvement envisages a continuously growing interest by researchers in the future, eventually resulting in important medical applications able to enter the professional and consumer medical markets.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Concu
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ornelas
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigacao em Quimica - CIQUP, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal. mazenha@fc.up.pt.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azenha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018914:Cells, Immobilized; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D006728:Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D054802:Molecular Imprinting / Q000379:methods*; D009254:Nafcillin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D044367:Phase Transition; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012833:Siloxanes; D009254:Nafcillin