Review on molecularly imprinted polymers with a focus on their application to the analysis of protein biomarkers

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a type of artificial polymer, which have complementary cavities that are designed to bind a specific target molecule with a high degree of selectivity. Due to their effectiveness and stability, MIPs have found their way into many applications in medicine, chemistry, analysis and sensing fields. One of the most important modern uses of MIPs is the recognition of biological molecules of medical significance, which are called “biomarkers”. The use of MIPs enables easy and rapid extraction and detection of these biomarkers from different biological matrices. There are multiple techniques that arose for synthesis of MIPs each with their own set of advantages and drawbacks. In this review, we discuss MIPs in detail including their different types, methods of synthesis, characterisation methods, common challenges, in addition to their applications in different fields with a focus on their use in the analysis of protein biomarkers. [Display omitted] •Recent advances in the field of molecularly imprinted polymers.•Common methods of synthesis, characterization and applications.•Methods of analysis of protein biomarkers using molecularly imprinted polymers.•Improvements and setbacks in protein biomarkers' analysis using molecular imprinting.•Recommendations to enhance molecular imprinting's process and applications.