Cell and Tissue Imaging with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as Plastic Antibody Mimics.

Molecularly imprinted polymers can be used as "plastic antibodies" for cell and tissue imaging, as demonstrated using hyaluronan on cell surfaces as a model target. Fluorescent nanoparticles binding a hyaluronan substructure, glucuronic acid, are used to image fixated and living cells and tissues. Plastic antibodies can be tailored to specific targets and easily labeled, and are physically and chemically stable.