Molecular Recognition

with functionalized vesicles or surfaces

The selective molecular recognition of protein structures and protein surfaces is essential for many tasks in bioanalysis and diagnostic. Antibodies provide high specificity and affinity, but they are intrinsically labile, costly in preparation and not available for all epitopes. Synthetic probes may provide alternatives for some applications. We use the cooperative action of reversible coordinative bonds, hydrogen bonds and luminescent dyes embedded into vesicles or surfaces to achieve a selective and high affinity binding to peptides and proteins under physio­logical conditions. The findings may pave the way to the development of synthetic antibodies.