A novel fluorescence molecularly imprinted sensor for Japanese encephalitis virus detection based on metal organic frameworks and passivation-enhanced selectivity.

Accurate detection of viruses is of great significance in preventing further spreading of infections and developing appropriate clinical treatment. Herein, a fluorescence molecularly imprinted sensor based on a metal-organic framework with high selectivity and high sensitivity at concentrations down to the picomolar (pmol) level was developed to recognize Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). In this work, zinc acrylate was used as the functional monomer to form molecularly imprinted polymers on the surface of a silicon-modified metal organic frameworks via free radical polymerization. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was then used as a blocking agent to enhance the ability of polymers to specifically recognize the template virus. Under optimal experimental conditions, the polymers exhibit a wide range of detection, 50 pmol L-1 to 1400 pmol L-1, within 20 min, a low detection limit (13 pmol L-1), and good selectivity (IF = 4.3). These advantages enable this molecularly imprinted (MIP) sensor for important practical application value and significance in the detection and prevention of viruses.