The complex nature of the structure of the anticoagulant warfarin is reflected in the diversity of binding modes observed in warfarin–protein recognition systems. A series of theoretical, ¹H-NMR and steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopic studies, have been used to establish correlations between the molecular environment provided by various solvent systems and the relative concentrations of the various members of warfarin's ensemble of isomers. A consequence of these observations is that the judicious choice of solvent system or molecular environment of warfarin allows for manipulation of the position of the equilibrium between isomeric structures such as the hemiacetal and open phenol-keto forms, the latter even possible in a deprotonated form, where in each case unique spectroscopic properties are exhibited by the respective structures. Collectively, warfarin's capacity to adapt its structure as a function of environment in conjunction with the fluorescence behaviours of the various isomers together provide an environment-dependent molecular switch with reporter properties, which allows for the simultaneous detection of warfarin in different states with lifetimes spanning the range < 0.10–5.5 ns. These characteristics are here used to examine warfarin binding domains in a series of materials (solvents, protein, inorganic matrix and synthetic polymer). Moreover, these studies demonstrate the potential for using warfarin, or other switchable analogues thereof, as a tool for studying molecular level characteristics, for example local dielectricity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Here we report the first application of phage display screening in low dielectric media. Two series of phage clones with affinity for α-chymotrypsin (CT) were selected from a Ph.D.^TM-C7C library, using either a buffer or acetonitrile in buffer (50%, v/v). The affinity of lysates, individual clones or selected cyclic peptides for the enzyme was studied by examining their influence on CT activity. Peptides displayed on phage selected in buffer provided significant protection from enzyme autolysis resulting in marked increase in CT activity (>100%). Phage selected in ACN provided some, albeit weak, protection from the detrimental influence on CT from ACN. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential for the application of phage display screening protocols to targets in media of low dielectricity.

A series of molecular dynamics simulations of prepolymerization mixtures for phenylalanine anilide imprinted co-(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-methacrylic acid) molecularly imprinted polymers have been employed to investigate the mechanistic basis for template selective recognition in these systems. This has provided new insights on the mechanisms underlying template recognition, in particular the significant role played by the crosslinking agent. Importantly, the study supports the occurrence of template self-association events that allows us to resolve debate between the two previously proposed models used to explain this system's underlying recognition mechanisms. Moreover, the complexity of the molecular level events underlying template complexation is highlighted by this study, a factor that should be considered in rational molecularly imprinted polymer design, especially with respect to recognition site heterogeneity.

A series of polymers molecularly imprinted with the general anaesthetic propofol were synthesized using both semi- and non-covalent approaches. The polymers were evaluated with respect to template rebinding in both aqueous and organic media. In aqueous media, the observed propofol binding in these polymer systems was largely hydrophobic and non-specific in nature. In non-polar solvents such as hexane, electrostatic (hydrogen bonding) interactions dominate resulting in some selectivity. The implication of these results, in conjunction with those obtained using structures of similar size in other studies, is that propofol, a template possessing limited functionality and size, appears to define the lower limit for template size and degree of functionalization that can be used for the creation of ligand-selective recognition sites in molecularly imprinted polymers. Furthermore, studies with alternative ligands indicate that the steric crowding of a ligand's functionality to the polymer contributes to the extent of polymer-ligand recognition.

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.