Formation of molecularly imprinted polymers: Strategies applied for the removal of protein template (review).

The key step in the entire molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) preparation process is the formation of the complementary cavities in the polymer matrix through the template removal process. The template is removed using chemical treatments, leaving behind selective binding sites for target molecules within the polymer matrix. Other MIP preparation steps include mixing monomers and template molecules in the appropriate solvent(s), monomer-template complex equilibration, and polymerisation of the monomers around the template.