Applications of Synthetic Receptors in Bioanalysis and Drug Transport

ABSTRACT: Synthetic receptors are powerful tools for molecular recognition. They can bind to guests with high selectivity and affinity, and their structures are tunable and diversified. These features, plus the relatively low cost and high simplicity in synthesis and modification, support the feasibility of array-based molecular analysis with synthetic receptors for improved selectivity in the recognition of a wide range of targets. More attractively, host-guest interaction is reversible and guest displacement allows biocompatible and gentle release of the host-bound molecules, simplifying the stimulation designs needed to control analyte sensing, enrichment, and transportation. Here, we highlight a few recent advancements in using synthetic receptors for molecular analysis and manipulation, with the focus on macrocyclic receptors and their applications in displacement sensing, separation, imaging, and drug transport.

Automated summary

Synthetic receptors are powerful tools for molecular recognition, with high selectivity and affinity, tunable and diversified structures, relatively low cost, and simplicity in synthesis and modification. They are feasible for array-based molecular analysis to improve selectivity in recognizing a wide range of targets.