Mwangi, George

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 

• Ph.D., Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham 

• M.S., Chemistry, University of Nairobi, Kenya

•  B.S., Chemistry, University of Pune, India

Dr. Mwangi’s research project focuses on the synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) specifically tailored for dopamine, a vital neurotransmitter associated with various neurological functions. MIPs are synthetic polymers that operate on a “lock and key” mechanism, binding selectively to template molecules such as dopamine. Recent studies have demonstrated MIPs’ potential as robust alternatives to natural receptors due to their stability and cost-effectiveness, making them highly suitable for biosensor applications in diagnostic settings (Lamaoui et al., 2023; Leibl et al., 2021). In this project, dopamine is used at the template molecule, with Itaconic Acid and TRIM serving as the functional monomer and crosslinker, respectively. Following synthesis via dispersion polymerization, the template is extracted to reveal dopamine-specific binding sites.

Studies on MIPs for dopamine detection highlight their sensitivity in complex biological matrices, showing reliable binding through non-covalent interactions like hydrogen bonding and p-p stacking (Stanford University, 2023). For instance, selective binding can facilitate continuous dopamine monitoring n physiological systems, a method that can be further enhanced by incorporating real-time monitoring techniques. Experimental findings from this research suggest a high affinity of the dopamine MIP for rebinding, supported by the durability and adaptability of MIPs in various environmental conditions. The project outcomes suggest a potential role for dopamine-imprinted MIPs as cost-effective, resilient chemical sensors in medical diagnostics, with applications in both neurology and broader clinical fields.