Abstract
Molecular imprinting is a template polymerization to prepare functional materials capable of molecular recognition. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be simply prepared by copolymerization of a template molecule conjugated with functional monomers and cross-linkers. These robust and affordable synthetic polymer receptors are expected to be alternatives to biomacromolecules such as antibodies and enzymes. MIPs bearing a single function have matured so far, whereas preparation of multi-functionalized MIPs is still problematic due to the simple preparation protocols. Recently, we have proposed a new strategy, post-imprinting modification (PIM), to introduce additional functionality into MIPs and/or to improve molecular recognition activity by post-polymerization modification within the imprinted cavities, which was inspired by post-translational modifications during biosynthesis of proteins. In this paper, we describe an overview of PIM-based multi-functional MIPs, and introduce desirable functions such as off/on switching of molecular recognition activity, fluorescent reporting function for the binding events, catalytic activity and photo-responsive activity.
