Molecular imprinting (MIP) represents a synthetic technique for constructing materials that mimic the molecular recognition of biomolecules in a manner not unlike antibody/antigen. The principal behind the technique is the formation of a polymer matrix around a specific template molecule. Subsequent removal of the template from

the newly synthesized polymer provides binding sites that are complementary to the shape and size of this molecule, allowing for highly selective recognition. In addition, molecular imprinting technology is non-invasive and dynamic (environmentally inert, and possessing thermal and pH stablity). Currently, we have developed a molecular imprint of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) for analysis of plant tissue extracts This imprinting technique will provide highly sensitive hormone detection to assist in the further characterization of ABA biosynthesis. The molecular imprints of ABA were synthesized using a basic monomer (4-vinylpyridine), a diethyleneglycoldimethacrylate cross-linker, and UV-induced free-radical polymerization. Using HPLC analysis, molecular imprints of abscisic have been shown to exhibit high selectivity for the parent compound. The specific binding of ABA to the imprinted

polymer was further validated by the synthesis of the control non-imprinted polymer (NIP), which failed to bind ABA, and by the observation that structural analogues of ABA exhibited minimal binding to the imprinted polymer.