# Electrochemical Characterization of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor for the Selective Recognition of Type II Collagen in Joint Degeneration Monitoring

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new sensor that can detect type II collagen, a key indicator of joint diseases, with high selectivity and sensitivity.

## Contribution

A novel MIP-based electrochemical sensor for selective type II collagen detection in joint degeneration monitoring is developed.

## Key findings

- The 1AAM:2VP MIP formulation showed the highest electrochemical sensitivity and linearity for type II collagen detection.
- The sensor achieved a high R2 value of 0.9394 and a low limit of detection of 0.065 µg/mL.
- Minimal signal interference confirmed the sensor's high molecular selectivity in complex biological matrices.

## Abstract

Type II collagen is a primary fibrillar component of articular cartilage, and its early degradation is a key biomarker of joint-degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc. Reliable detection at low concentrations remains challenging due to limited assay accessibility, complex analytical procedures, and nonspecific responses in multicomponent biological matrices. This research reports the development of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP)–based electrochemical sensor engineered for the selective recognition of type II collagen. A series of monomer formulations were evaluated, and the 1AAM:2VP composition produced a well-defined imprinted layer on screen-printed carbon electrodes, yielding the highest electrochemical sensitivity and linearity. The optimized sensor exhibited strong anodic and cathodic responses proportional to increasing collagen concentrations, with a calibration slope corresponding to an R2 value of 0.9394. Minimal signal interference was observed, confirming high molecular selectivity. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be approximately 0.065 µg/mL. These characteristics demonstrate that the proposed MIP sensor provides a low-cost, accessible, and highly selective analytical platform suitable for early-stage cartilage degeneration monitoring.