Materials that can mimic the molecular recognition-based functions found in biology are a significant goal for science and technology. Molecular imprinting is a technology that addresses this challenge by providing polymeric materials with antibody-like recognition characteristics. Recently, significant progress has been achieved in solving many of the practical problems traditionally associated with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), such as difficulties with imprinting of proteins, poor compatibility with aqueous environments, template leakage, and the presence of heterogeneous populations of binding sites in the polymers that contribute to high levels of non-specific binding. This success is closely related to the technology-driven shift in MIP research from traditional bulk polymer formats into the nanomaterial domain. The aim of this article is to throw light on recent developments in this field and to present a critical discussion of the current state of molecular imprinting and its potential in real world applications.

Monodisperse magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by a simple, improved, one-pot solvothermal synthesis using SDS and PEG 6000 as double capping reagents. This double protecting layer afforded better MNP uniformity (Z average 257 ± 11.12 nm, PDI = 0.18) and colloidal stability. Materials were characterized by DLS, SEM, TEM, XPS, and XRD. The use of these MNPs in the synthesis of core–shell structures with uniform and tunable silica coatings was demonstrated, as silica coated MNPs are important for use in a range of applications, including magnetic separation and catalysis and as platforms for templated nanogel synthesis.

Oxytocin imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized by glass bead supported solid phase synthesis, with NMR and molecular dynamics studies used to investigate monomer–template interactions. The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Investigation of nanoparticle-template recognition using quartz crystal microbalance-based studies revealed sub-nanomolar affinity, k_d ≈ 0.3 ± 0.02 nM (standard error of the mean), comparable to that of commercial polyclonal antibodies, k_d ≈ 0.02–0.2 nM.

Environmental toxicants (ENVOTOX) have emerged as critical risk factors for congenital malformations (CMFs) in the modern industrial era. Although epidemiological evidence underscores their adverse impact on pregnancy outcomes, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain insufficiently defined. This review consolidates current insights into exposome toxicity profiling, developmental pathway disruptions, and molecular mapping to identify potential biomarkers and mechanistic links between ENVOTOX and CMFs. Protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified 35 CMF‐associated proteins, with ten fibroblast growth factors (FGFs: FGF4, FGF5, FGF8, FGF9, FGF10, FGF16, FGF17, FGF18, FGF20, and FGF22) prioritized as hub nodes. Molecular docking analysis showed high binding affinity of FGF9 and FGF4 toward dioxin‐associated toxicants, with dibenzo‐p‐dioxin (DBPDO) exhibiting the strongest interaction (binding energy: −7.2 kcal/mol), followed by polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDBFs) (−6.7 kcal/mol) with FGF9. Notably, FGF9 exhibited mutagenic binding potential at ASN146, mediated through π‐donor hydrogen bonding with DBPDO. Comparative toxicity data further highlighted the acute risks, as DBPDO demonstrated a lower LD ₅₀ (2.26 mol/kg) relative to PCDBFs (4.134 mol/kg). Collectively, this review emphasizes the central role of FGFs in mediating ENVOTOX‐induced teratogenicity and offers molecular‐level perspectives to guide biomarker discovery and intervention strategies for mitigating CMF risk.