Sensing HIV related protein using epitope imprinted hydrophilic polymer coated quartz crystal microbalance

► Dopamine was used as monomer for protein imprinting based on epitope-imprinting techniques. ► MIP film was coated on the QCM chip due to the adhesiveness of the polydopamine. ► The MIP-coated QCM sensor can recognize template peptide and corresponding protein. ► The detection limit of HIV-1 gp41 protein was 2 ng/mL. ► The MIP-coated QCM sensor was applied for monitoring protein in human urine samples.