Electrochemical Detection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor by Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

In this study, we report the development of a sensitive label-free impedimetric sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as biomimetic receptor coupled with screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) for the detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Firstly, electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) in the presence of VEGF molecule by cyclic voltammetry was performed onto graphite screen-printed electrodes. The solvent extraction of the target was then carried out. The MIP based sensor was characterized by electrochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using optimized experimental conditions, the single-use MIP-based sensor showed a good analytical performance for VEGF detection from 20 to 200 pg mL(-1) with limit of detection of 0.08 pg mL(-1). Finally, the developed MIP-based sensor in human serum samples was also tested.