An artificial receptor to detect dopamine : A major publication
Andrey Klymchenko, and Bohdan Kozibroda, in collaboration with Nobel Prize winner Jean-Marie Lehn, have achieved a remarkable scientific breakthrough in the field of molecular recognition.
This research, published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, offers an innovative solution to a long-standing challenge in chemistry: the molecular recognition and detection of small bioactive molecules, such as neurotransmitters.
An innovative concept: the fluorescent artificial receptor
This research is based on an innovative supramolecular system combining two complementary mechanisms. Molecular recognition is provided by a lipophilic ligand derived from a boronic acid, designed to specifically capture dopamine. In parallel, a dynamic covalent chemistry process takes place in a lipid nanoreactor, where the rapid and selective association of a fluorescent aldehyde with dopamine produces a clear fluorescent response. This synergy enables efficient and precise detection of this neurotransmitter in complex biological environments.
Why is it a breakthrough?
This artificial receptor offers exceptional performance, marking a significant advance in the field. It stands out for its high sensitivity, capable of detecting dopamine at micromolar concentrations, even in complex media such as plasma, blood serum or urine. What's more, its ability to image dopamine gradients using a two-color fluorescent ratiometric response adds a new dimension to the study of this neurotransmitter. Finally, the system is particularly selective, avoiding interference from other biogenic amines present in these biological environments.
Impact on biomedical research
This work represents a major advance in neuroscience and analytical chemistry, offering a promising new tool for the detection and study of small bioactive molecules in complex environments. It will stimulate development of new tools for medical diagnostics based on detection of neurotransmitters in liquid biopsies.
Fluorescent Artificial Receptor for Dopamine based on Molecular Recognition-driven Dynamic Covalent Chemistry in a Lipid Nanoreactor
Bohdan Kozibroda, Jean-Marie Lehn, Andrey S Klymchenko
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202419905
