Monday, 08 September 2025

Time:
t.b.a.
Place:
t.b.a.
Presenter:
Valérie Pichon, Department of Analytical, Bioanalytical Sciences and Miniaturization (LSABM), UMR CBI 8231 ESPCI Paris/CNRS, PSL Research University, France & Sorbonne Université, Paris, France

Course Description

Determining compounds at very low concentration levels is still a real analytical challenge in various application fields. The evolution of the instrumentation in separation and detection allows a significant improvement in the sensitivity and the analysis time. However, analyzing target molecules or ions at the ultra-trace level in complex samples often requires a step of purification and preconcentration before their analysis. Consequently, extraction sorbents inducing a retention mechanism based on structural recognition can be developed and used to selectively extract a target molecule, its structural analogs, or even ions, making their quantitative analysis more reliable and sensitive. To this end, ion and molecularly imprinted polymers (IIPs and MIPs) have already shown great potential for the selective extraction of target analytes from complex samples.

These imprinted sorbents can be prepared by radical polymerization of organic monomers or by using organosilanes as a Sol-Gel approach. Most developments are achieved by introducing the MIP/IIP particles in disposable SPE cartridges. Miniaturized MIPs can be prepared by in-situ synthesis of an imprinted monolith in a capillary (I.D. 100 µm). Numerous examples will illustrate the importance of the choice of synthesis and application conditions for achieving optimum selectivity. The use of non-imprinted polymers to evaluate the real potential of MIPs in selectivity will be discussed. Finally, the potential of MIPs/IIPs will be illustrated by numerous applications in the environment, food, and biological matrices.

Target Audience

This course is designed for analytical chemists, method developers, and research scientists from academic and industrial backgrounds involved in sample preparation and extraction techniques. It will be particularly valuable for those working in environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratories seeking to enhance their understanding of selective extraction using imprinted polymers. Graduate students and professionals interested in innovative analytical methods for trace analysis and those focused on the miniaturization of extraction systems will also find this course highly beneficial.