Cette thèse décrit le développement de capteurs à fibre optique hautement sélectifs, utilisant des polymères à empreintes moléculaires (MIPs, de l’anglais molecularly imprinted polymers) comme éléments de reconnaissance, et se basant sur la fluorescence pour la détection. Nous avons étendu l’étude à d’autres types de capteurs et de méthodes de détection optiques, toujours basés sur les MIPs. Les MIPs sont des récepteurs synthétiques biomimétiques possédant des cavités spécifiques pour une molécule cible. Produits par un processus de moulage à l’échelle moléculaire, les MIPs sont capables de reconnaître et de se lier à leurs molécules cibles, avec des spécificités et affinités comparables aux récepteurs naturels. De plus, comparé aux récepteurs biologiques, les MIPs sont plus stables, moins chers et plus faciles à intégrer dans les procédés standard industriels de fabrication. Ainsi, les MIPs apparaissent comme une alternative intéressante aux biomolécules entant qu’éléments de reconnaissance dans les biocapteurs. Dans la première partie de la thèse (Chapitre 2), les MIPs ont été synthétisés en tant que micropointe à l’extrémité d’une fibre optique, par polymérisation in-situ induite par un laser en seulement quelques secondes. Les paramètres photoniques et physico-chimiques ont été optimisés pour moduler les propriétés des micro-objets de polymères. Des nanoparticules d’or ont été incorporées dans la micropointe de MIP afin d’induire une exaltation du signal. Afin de prouver l’efficacité de notre capteur, les études initiales ont été réalisées avec un MIP synthétisé avec le Ncarbobenzyloxy- L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe) comme template et le dérivé d’acide aminé fluorescentdansyl-L-phenylalanine, comme analyte. La fluorescence a été collectée de l’extérieur au niveau de la micropointe par une fibre optique connectée à un spectrofluorimètre, ou par collection du signal fluorescent ré-émis dans l’un des bras d’une fibre bifurquée en Y. L’analyse fluorescent a pu être détecté à des concentrations de l’ordre du nM. Afin de quantifier les analytes non fluorescents, un monomère fluorescent, possédant un groupe naphthalimide, a été incorporé dans le MIP ; celui-çidéployant une augmentation de la fluorescence quand l’analyte se lie. Utilisant ce système avec un MIP spécifique pour l’herbicide 2,4-D (acide 2,4-dichlorophénoxyacétique), des concentrations aussi basses que 2,5 nM en 2,4-D ont pu être mesurées. Le capteur MIP a également été appliqué à des analytes d’intérêt pour la sécurité alimentaire et le domaine nanostructurées. Cette étude pose les bases pour le développement futur de nanocapteurs et de Dans la dernière partie (Chapitre 4), une méthode d’analyse novatrice, basée sur l’utilisation des MIPs et l’analyse par polarisation de fluorescence, a été développée en vue de permettre la quantification directe et rapide d’analytes dans des échantillons alimentaires et environnementaux. Cette technique a été appliquée avec succès pour détecter des antibiotiques fluoroquinolones dans l’eau du robinet et le lait, en-dessous de leur limite maximale de résidus. En conclusion, nous pouvons dire que ce travail ouvre la voie vers l'application d'une nouvelle génération de capteurs optiques portables, robustes et miniaturisables basés sur les MIPs, pour des mesures «sur-site » et la quantification en temps réel d’analytes biologiques et environnementaux dans des milieux complexes. / This thesis describes the development of highly selective fiber optic sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as recognition elements associated with fluorescence for detection. Additionally, we extended the study to the development of other MIP-based optical sensors and sensing methods. MIPs are synthetic biomimetic receptors possessing specific cavities designed for a target molecule. Produced by a templating process at the molecular level, MIPs are capable of recognizingand binding target molecules with selectivities and affinities comparable to those of natural receptors. Compared to biological recognition elements, MIPs are more stable, cheaper and easier to integrate into standard industrial fabrication processes. Hence, MIPs have become interesting alternatives to biomolecules as recognition elements for biosensing. In the first part of this thesis (Chapter 2), MIPs were synthesized by in-situ laser-induced photopolymerization in only a few seconds, as a micrometer-sized tip at the extremity of a telecommunication optical fiber. Photonic and physico-chemical parameters were optimized to tailor the properties of the polymer micro-objects. Gold nanoparticles were incorporated into the MIP microtip for signal enhancement. To prove the efficiency of the sensor, initial studies were performed with a MIP templated with N-carbobenzyloxy-L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe) and the fluorescent amino acid derivative dansyl-L-phenylalanine as analyte. The fluorescence was collected either externally at the tip level by an optical fiber connected to a spectrofluorimeter or by collection of the fluorescent signal re-emitted into the fiber through the second arm of a Y-shaped bifurcated fiber. The fluorescent analyte could be detected in the low nM concentrations. In order to monitor nonfluorescent analytes, a naphthalimide-based fluorescent monomer was incorporated into the MIP during its synthesis; fluorescence enhancement was observed when analyte binding occurs. Using this system, the sensor containing a MIP specific for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), could detect and quantify this analyte at concentrations as low as 2.5 nM. The signaling MIP-based sensor was also applied to analytes of interest for food safety and biomedical applications, such as the mycotoxin citrinin and the sphingolipid, D-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphate. In the second part of the thesis (Chapter 3), a different type of fiber optic sensor: cheap, fast and made for “single-use”, was developed by using 4-cm long disposable polystyrene evanescent wave optical fiber waveguides. The coating of the MIP was either performed ex-situ, by dip-coating the fiber in a suspension of MIP particles synthesized beforehand, or in-situ by evanescent-wave photopolymerization directly on the fiber. The resulting fiber optic sensor could detect 2,4-D in the low nM range and demonstrated specific and selective recognition of the herbicide over its structural analogues and other non-related carboxyl-containing analytes. Additionally, we demonstrated the versatility of the system by applying the evanescent wave fiber optic sensor to detect citrinin, a mycotoxin, by simply coating the waveguide with a MIP specific for citrinin. This type of technology could possibly be extended to detect other carboxyl-containing analytes, as long as a specific MIP for the concerned analyte is available. In parallel, the technique of evanescent-wave photopolymerization was used for the synthesis of signaling MIP microdots on continuous and nanostructured gold films. This study lays the foundations for future development of plasmonic MIP nanosensors and microchips. In the last part of the thesis (Chapter 4), an innovative sensing method, based on the use of MIPs and analysis by fluorescence polarization, was developed in order to allow the fast and directquantification of analytes in food and environmental samples.

This thesis describes the development of highly selective fiber optic sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as recognition elements associated with fluorescence for detection. Additionally, we extended the study to the development of other MIP-based optical sensors and sensing methods. MIPs are synthetic biomimetic receptors possessing specific cavities designed for a target molecule. Produced by a templating process at the molecular level, MIPs are capable of recognizingand binding target molecules with selectivities and affinities comparable to those of natural receptors. Compared to biological recognition elements, MIPs are more stable, cheaper and easier to integrate into standard industrial fabrication processes. Hence, MIPs have become interesting alternatives to biomolecules as recognition elements for biosensing. In the first part of this thesis (Chapter 2), MIPs were synthesized by in-situ laser-induced photopolymerization in only a few seconds, as a micrometer-sized tip at the extremity of a telecommunication optical fiber. Photonic and physico-chemical parameters were optimized to tailor the properties of the polymer micro-objects. Gold nanoparticles were incorporated into the MIP microtip for signal enhancement. To prove the efficiency of the sensor, initial studies were performed with a MIP templated with N-carbobenzyloxy-L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe) and the fluorescent amino acid derivative dansyl-L-phenylalanine as analyte. The fluorescence was collected either externally at the tip level by an optical fiber connected to a spectrofluorimeter or by collection of the fluorescent signal re-emitted into the fiber through the second arm of a Y-shaped bifurcated fiber. The fluorescent analyte could be detected in the low nM concentrations. In order to monitor nonfluorescent analytes, a naphthalimide-based fluorescent monomer was incorporated into the MIP during its synthesis; fluorescence enhancement was observed when analyte binding occurs. Using this system, the sensor containing a MIP specific for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), could detect and quantify this analyte at concentrations as low as 2.5 nM. The signaling MIP-based sensor was also applied to analytes of interest for food safety and biomedical applications, such as the mycotoxin citrinin and the sphingolipid, D-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphate. In the second part of the thesis (Chapter 3), a different type of fiber optic sensor: cheap, fast and made for "single-use", was developed by using 4-cm long disposable polystyrene evanescent wave optical fiber waveguides. The coating of the MIP was either performed ex-situ, by dip-coating the fiber in a suspension of MIP particles synthesized beforehand, or in-situ by evanescent-wave photopolymerization directly on the fiber. The resulting fiber optic sensor could detect 2,4-D in the low nM range and demonstrated specific and selective recognition of the herbicide over its structural analogues and other non-related carboxyl-containing analytes. Additionally, we demonstrated the versatility of the system by applying the evanescent wave fiber optic sensor to detect citrinin, a mycotoxin, by simply coating the waveguide with a MIP specific for citrinin. This type of technology could possibly be extended to detect other carboxyl-containing analytes, as long as a specific MIP for the concerned analyte is available. In parallel, the technique of evanescent-wave photopolymerization was used for the synthesis of signaling MIP microdots on continuous and nanostructured gold films. This study lays the foundations for future development of plasmonic MIP nanosensors and microchips. In the last part of the thesis (Chapter 4), an innovative sensing method, based on the use of MIPs and analysis by fluorescence polarization, was developed in order to allow the fast and directquantification of analytes in food and environmental samples.

This thesis describes the development of highly selective fiber optic sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as recognition elements associated with fluorescence for detection. Additionally, we extended the study to the development of other MIP-based optical sensors and sensing methods. MIPs are synthetic biomimetic receptors possessing specific cavities designed for a target molecule. Produced by a templating process at the molecular level, MIPs are capable of recognizingand binding target molecules with selectivities and affinities comparable to those of natural receptors. Compared to biological recognition elements, MIPs are more stable, cheaper and easier to integrate into standard industrial fabrication processes. Hence, MIPs have become interesting alternatives to biomolecules as recognition elements for biosensing. In the first part of this thesis (Chapter 2), MIPs were synthesized by in-situ laser-induced photopolymerization in only a few seconds, as a micrometer-sized tip at the extremity of a telecommunication optical fiber. Photonic and physico-chemical parameters were optimized to tailor the properties of the polymer micro-objects. Gold nanoparticles were incorporated into the MIP microtip for signal enhancement. To prove the efficiency of the sensor, initial studies were performed with a MIP templated with N-carbobenzyloxy-L-phenylalanine (Z-L-Phe) and the fluorescent amino acid derivative dansyl-L-phenylalanine as analyte. The fluorescence was collected either externally at the tip level by an optical fiber connected to a spectrofluorimeter or by collection of the fluorescent signal re-emitted into the fiber through the second arm of a Y-shaped bifurcated fiber. The fluorescent analyte could be detected in the low nM concentrations. In order to monitor nonfluorescent analytes, a naphthalimide-based fluorescent monomer was incorporated into the MIP during its synthesis; fluorescence enhancement was observed when analyte binding occurs. Using this system, the sensor containing a MIP specific for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), could detect and quantify this analyte at concentrations as low as 2.5 nM. The signaling MIP-based sensor was also applied to analytes of interest for food safety and biomedical applications, such as the mycotoxin citrinin and the sphingolipid, D-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphate. In the second part of the thesis (Chapter 3), a different type of fiber optic sensor: cheap, fast and made for "single-use", was developed by using 4-cm long disposable polystyrene evanescent wave optical fiber waveguides. The coating of the MIP was either performed ex-situ, by dip-coating the fiber in a suspension of MIP particles synthesized beforehand, or in-situ by evanescent-wave photopolymerization directly on the fiber. The resulting fiber optic sensor could detect 2,4-D in the low nM range and demonstrated specific and selective recognition of the herbicide over its structural analogues and other non-related carboxyl-containing analytes. Additionally, we demonstrated the versatility of the system by applying the evanescent wave fiber optic sensor to detect citrinin, a mycotoxin, by simply coating the waveguide with a MIP specific for citrinin. This type of technology could possibly be extended to detect other carboxyl-containing analytes, as long as a specific MIP for the concerned analyte is available. In parallel, the technique of evanescent-wave photopolymerization was used for the synthesis of signaling MIP microdots on continuous and nanostructured gold films. This study lays the foundations for future development of plasmonic MIP nanosensors and microchips. In the last part of the thesis (Chapter 4), an innovative sensing method, based on the use of MIPs and analysis by fluorescence polarization, was developed in order to allow the fast and directquantification of analytes in food and environmental samples.

Within healthcare there is a market pull for biomedical devices that can rapidly perform laboratory processes, such as diagnostic testing, in a hand-held format. For this reason, biomedical devices must become smaller, more sophisticated, and easier to use for a reasonable cost. However, despite the accelerating academic research on biomedical microdevices, and especially plastic-based microfluidic chips, there is still a gap between the inventions in academia and their benefit to society. To bridge this gap there is a need for new materials which both exhibit similar properties as industrial thermoplastics, and that enable rapid prototyping in academia. In this thesis, thiol-ene and thiol-ene-epoxy thermosets are evaluated both in terms of their suitability for rapid prototyping of biomedical microdevices and their potential for industrial manufacturing of “lab-on-chips”. The first part of the thesis focuses on material development of thiol-ene and thiol-ene-epoxy thermosets. Chemical and mechanical properties are studied, as well as in vitro biocompatibility with cells. The second part of the thesis focuses on microfabrication methods for both thermosets. This includes reaction injection molding, photostructuring, and surface modification. It is demonstrated how thiol-ene and thiol-ene-epoxy both provide advantageous thermo-mechanical properties and versatile surface modifications via “thiol-click chemistry”. In the end of the thesis, two applications for both polymer platforms are demonstrated. Firstly, thiol-ene is used for constructing nanoliter well arrays for liquid storage and on-demand electrochemical release. Secondly, thiol-ene-epoxy is used to enhance the biocompatibility of neural probes by tuning their flexibility. It is concluded that both thiol-ene and thiol-ene-epoxy thermosets exhibit several properties that are highly suitable for rapid prototyping as well as for scalable manufacturing of biomedical microdevices. / <p>QC 20171003</p>