Alternative
Paradigm in Biotechnology: Molecular Biomimetics Potential Applications within
the One Health Framework
Hossam
E. M. Sayour
Molecular Biomimetics Research Group Leader, Biomedical Chemistry
Research Unit, Chemistry Dept., Animal Hearth Institute, WOAH’s Regional Center
for Bacterial Diseases & AMR in Africa, Agricultural Research Center, 7,
Nadi El-Sied T., Dokki 12618, Giza, Egypt
Abstract:
Molecular biomimetics merges biology with
engineering through inspirating nature's building blocks for designing creative
smart materials-based innovative solutions as an alternative paradigm far from
classical biotechnology. In the merits of state-of-the-art frontenis’s
sciences, these creative solutions could be the magic touch for many of the one
health catastrophic problems connecting the health of humans, animals, and the
environment could be solved. In chemistry molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)
act like synthetic, highly durable "antibodies" engineered as a
custom-made to lock onto specific target molecules lately IUPAC call it
“plastic antibodies”. MIPs can be designed and tailored to capture wide scope
sized molecules with specific molecular recognition; starting from cationic or
anionic elements, small molecules of
biomarkers/drugs/pesticides/herbicides/toxins/pollutants up to epitopes of
antigenic determinants of microorganisms (virus, bacteria, fungus, parasite)
higher to whole cell, antibiotic resistance (AMR) by trapping specific
bacterial communication signals to stop bacteria from gathering and forming
drug-resistant films. Potential applications include tailored bio/sensor
development, point of care/need testing devices, drug delivery, specific
separation tools, artificial enzymes and gathering one or more of multipurposed
applications of the previously mentioned categorical solutions. The World
Health Organization (WHO) investigates MIPs for use in cheap, fast health tests
and detecting dangerous diseases. The World Organization for Animal Health
(WOAH) supports the use of these technologies to track diseases and ensure food
safety across the agricultural supply chain. The Food and Agricultural
Organization (FAO), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) highlights and do endorse MIPs for the analytical methods
used to test for contaminants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses
MIP research to isolate toxic "priority pollutants" from water
supplies.
Keywords:
Molecular biomimetics, plastic antibodies,
nanobiotechnology, smart materials, one health framework, AI based
applications, molecular imprinting, theragnostic applications, food safety, environmental protection, precision medicine, smart farming, plant
protection, point of care devises, biomimetic sensors, smart delivery,
infectious zoonotic diseases
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| Posted on 17 July 2026 at 14:09:05 by Hossam Sayour | |