Engineering Micro‐ and Nanogels with Affinities for Target Molecules

Micro- and nanogels have emerged as versatile platforms with broad applications in biotechnology and environmental science. This chapter highlights their affinity engineering towards biomolecules and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Synthetic micro- and nanogels engineered by molecular imprinting, functional monomer tuning, and affinity-based purification are capable of recognizing and neutralizing target proteins even in complex biological environments, functioning as “plastic antibodies.” Stimuli-responsive micro- and nanogels incorporating amine groups with optimized p K a value enable reversible CO 2 absorption and separation from post-combustion gases and ambient air under mild conditions. This chapter underscores the multifunctionality of hydrogel particles and their tunable interaction with target molecules, offering significant opportunities in both medical and environmental fields.