20/05/2026
Una importante pubblicazione su Sensors dove viene utilizzata la nostra microbilancia a cristalli di quarzo ( ):
Development of an Improved QCM-D Instrumentation for
Affinity Sensing by Bioinspired Molecular-Imprinted Polymers
(MIP) for IgG Detection in Serum
Doretta Cuffaro 1,* , Lucia Bonasera 1, Elisa Nuti 1, Riccardo Galletti 2, Manuela Adami 2, Marco Sartore 2 and Maria Minunni 1,*
1 Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56125 Pisa, Italy; [email protected] (L.B.);
[email protected] (E.N.)
2 ElbaTech Srl, 57030 Marciana, Italy; [email protected] (R.G.); [email protected] (M.A.);
[email protected] (M.S.)
* Correspondence: [email protected] (D.C.); [email protected] (M.M.
Sensors 2026, 26(10), 2985;
Abstract
Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology provides a powerful, label-free platform for monitoring molecular interactions in real time with nanogram sensitivity. Recent advances in compact instrumentation have enhanced analytical performance while reducing energy consumption, aligning with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. In parallel, the European Union has recommended the replacement of animal-derived antibodies with non-animal alternatives, creating an urgent need for sustainable affinity receptors. In this study, we present an innovative application of polynorepinephrine (PNE)-based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with a compact QCM sensing. PNE, a bioinspired polymer formed under mild aqueous conditions, offers strong adhesive properties and biocompatibility, enabling robust immobilization of imprinted receptors on gold-coated quartz disks. The resulting PNE-MIP/QCM platform combines the ultrasensitivity of quartz microbalances with the selectivity of molecular imprinting, delivering a reproducible and environmentally responsible affinity sensor. The sensor showed a limit of detection of 11.2 nM and enabled accurate IgG quantification in diluted human serum samples. As a proof of concept, the system was applied to Human Immunoglobulin G (IgG1) detection, demonstrating its potential for sustainable clinical diagnostics.
Keywords:
( ); molecularly imprinted ( ); ( ); Human G ( ); clinical diagnostics
Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology provides a powerful, label-free platform for monitoring molecular interactions in real time with nanogram sensitivity. Recent advances in compact instrumentation have enhanced analytical performance while reducing energy consumption, aligning with the pri...
