Biotin-specific molecularly imprinted polymers as a biomimetic test line in lateral flow assays
Marfà, Jennifer (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina "Vicent Villar Palasí")
Valle, Anaixis del (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina "Vicent Villar Palasí")
Rovatti Pupin, Rafael (Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". Departamento de Química Analítica)
Baró Sastre, Barbara (Institut de Salut Global de Barcelona)
Bassat, Quique (Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona)
Taboada Sotomayor, Maria Del Pilar (Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". Departamento de Química Analítica)
Pividori, María Isabel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina "Vicent Villar Palasí")

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Lateral flow assays are widely used for rapid diagnostics at the point of care. However, their dependence on biological receptors limits their stability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This work demonstrates the use of biotin-specific molecularly imprinted polymers (biotin-MIPs) as synthetic recognition elements in nucleic acid lateral flow (NALF) assays. The biotin-MIPs were synthesized, structurally characterized, and integrated into the nitrocellulose membrane as a test line. Their selective binding affinity was first validated using biotinylated horseradish peroxidase as a model analyte. The platform was then evaluated for the detection of double-tagged PCR amplicons from Escherichia coli labeled with biotin and digoxigenin, achieving a visual detection limit of 2 ng mL-1 and a limit of detection of 1. 8 ng mL-1, with no detectable signal in negative controls. Clinical feasibility was further assessed retrospectively using swab specimens collected during routine third-trimester screening (35-37 weeks of gestation) for Group B Streptococcus, a major cause of neonatal sepsis. In this proof-of-concept study, the MIP-based NALF assay showed complete qualitative agreement with the qPCR reference classification and the gold standard microbiological culture, demonstrating the compatibility of this approach with battery-operated portable PCR amplification. Unlike biological receptors, MIPs offer robustness, long-term stability at room temperature, and animal-free scalable production. These features position the MIP-based NALF platform as a cost-effective alternative to antibody-based tests and a promising foundation for next-generation lateral flow diagnostics for the detection of communicable diseases at the point of care.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2022-136453OB-I00 Generalitat de Catalunya 2021/SGR-00124 Agencia Estatal de Investigación BES-2017-082694
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Biosensor ; Biotinylated biomolecules ; Lateral flow assay ; Molecularly imprinted polymers ; Point-of-Care
Published in:	Biosensors & bioelectronics, Vol. 298 (April 2026) , art. 118415, ISSN 1873-4235

DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2026.118415
PMID: 41604871

9 p, 3.1 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles