title: Computational approaches in the design of synthetic receptors - A review.
abstract: The rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) has been a major contributor to their reputation as "plastic antibodies" - high affinity robust synthetic receptors which can be optimally designed, and produced for a much reduced cost than their biological equivalents. Computational design has become a routine procedure in the production of MIPs, and has led to major advances in functional monomer screening, selection of cross-linker and solvent, optimisation of monomer(s)-template ratio and selectivity analysis. In this review the various computational methods will be discussed with reference to all the published relevant literature since the end of 2013, with each article described by the target molecule, the computational approach applied (whether molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics, semi-empirical quantum mechanics, ab initio quantum mechanics (Hartree-Fock, Møller-Plesset, etc.) or DFT) and the purpose for which they were used. Detailed analysis is given to novel techniques including analysis of polymer binding sites, the use of novel screening programs and simulations of MIP polymerisation reaction. The further advances in molecular modelling and computational design of synthetic receptors in particular will have serious impact on the future of nanotechnology and biotechnology, permitting the further translation of MIPs into the realms of analytics and medical technology.
authors: Leicester Biotechnology Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK. Electronic address: tc203@le.ac.uk.
authors: Todd
authors: T
authors: Cowen
authors: Leicester Biotechnology Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
authors: Kal
authors: K
authors: Karim
authors: Leicester Biotechnology Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
authors: Sergey
authors: S
authors: Piletsky
mesh_terms: D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D054802:Molecular Imprinting; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011789:Quantum Theory; D062165:Receptors, Artificial / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D062165:Receptors, Artificial
keywords: Assay; Chemical sensor; Density functional theory; Molecular dynamics; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Polymer simulation