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In recent years, interest in molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology has grown due to rapid scientific developments in various fields, including materials science and biology, to allow utilization of MIPs as synthetic receptors for detection of target molecules. This chapter particularly focuses on the state-of-the-art of molecularly imprinted polymers and their novel applications in detection of various analytes of interest using optical detection systems. The chapter introduces monomer and template methods, along with phase inversion and soft lithography or surface imprinting methods, and then briefly discusses the synthesis of MIPs. Further, this chapter specifically focuses on the potential of MIPs in optical-based nanosensors for immunoassays/diagnostic applications, with emphasis on the roles of MIPs in cancer diagnosis. In addition, the chapter covers the success of MIPs in detection of pharmaceuticals and drugs, as well as their applications in food and environmental sensing. The use of MIPs for sensing applications is ever increasing, but critical challenges must be addressed in order to make MIP-based optical sensing a primary tool in various sensing applications. These challenges, along with an appropriate critique and outlook for future developments, are also presented. |
