MIPs for diagnosis of COVID-19 and hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this German-Egypt project is the development of bio-(mimetic) sensors for the decentralized diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and of SARS-CoV-2. We will produce fully synthetic recognition elements, so called Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs), which have the potential to substitute antibodies in binding assays. The project starts with the design and the synthesis of MIP-sensors for the SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. The virus binds via its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 of the host cell. Therefore we apply in the MIP synthesis the RBD as the template for the recognition of the SARS virus. The MIP films will be prepared by electropolymerization and characterized by electrochemical methods using redox markers. The Egypt partner, Prof. Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny from Zewail City of Science and Technology, will adapt this technology for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Prof. Frieder Scheller and Prof. Ulla Wollenberger from University Potsdam act as scientific advisors in this project.