Polymeric sensory systems based on molecular imprinting for identification and separation of molecules and bigger biological objects

Molecular imprinting of synthetic polymers based on noncovalent interactions play an important role in producing biomimetic receptors that challenge their natural model and also in producing modern drug assays. Formation of a prearranged complex in the presence of noncovalent interactions between the template and receptor is the main idea of processing. A resulting polymer binds the template with an appreciable selectivity over structurally related compounds. A potential use of the imprinted polymers is inconceivable. A molecularly imprinted polymer can be used as polymer particles and films; as a single recognition element and as multi-binding sites and assays. Examples of molecular imprinting in a thin polymeric film and on the polymer surface are presented.