Abstract: Highly cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic materials with properties mimicking those of natural receptors. Here we describe an ability of MIP nanoparticles to manifest biological activity. Imprinted polymers were polymerised in the presence of herbicide binding D1 protein, ground and separated from the template by washing and ultrafiltration. We found that MIP nanoparticles retained affinity to the template. Moreover, imprinted polymers were able to activate chloroplast photosystem in in vitro experiments. This provides the first example of the use of imprinted polymers for the attenuation of a biological system and opens the possibility for their use in pharmacology, biotechnology and medicine.
Template and target information: D1 protein

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