Molecular recognition in biological systems drives and controls all the
activities related to ‘Life.’ The accuracy, specificity, and selectivity of biological
elements led to their use as biosensors for ‘sensing’. An ideal molecular recognition
agent must comprise a stable, reproducible, reusable, robust, specific and preferably
nonbiological material. Molecular imprinting has almost all attributes that qualify it to
be an ‘ideal’ recognition agent. As a surrogate to biological receptors, synthetic MIPs
have shown aspiring futuristic tools. Next-generation sensors could be visualized by a
collaboration of synthetic polymers (MIPs) with innovative technologies replacing
biosensors. Over the period of the last three decades, the introduction of specific
binding sites within synthetic polymers by utilizing target-directed cross linking of
functional monomers has attracted substantial consideration for the sake of the
formation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based sensors. MIP seems like a
reasonable tool for the creation of various sensors with broad practical relevance.
This chapter outlines the sensors prepared on nanocomposite as an imprinting matrix.
Strategic planning in synthesizing these novel matrices is praiseworthy. Hopefully,
such measures would bring down the economic burden by devising cheaper sensing
tools, especially diagnostic kits in such pandemic times.
Keywords: Chitosan nanoparticle, Graphene, Molecularly imprinted polymer, Nanocomposite, Sensor, Starch Nanoparticle
