Molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) possessing special binding ability to tetracycline are prepared using methacrylic acid monomer, tetracycline template and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) crosslinker. The binding experiments are conducted to evaluate the mechanism of recognition and influences of solvent polarity and degree of crosslinking on tetracycline binding. The results clearly indicate that synthesized MIPs have higher tetracycline binding ability as compared with corresponding non-imprinted polymers. The binding ability is the highest at 80 mol% crosslinking, as a rigid polymer structure is needed to maintain molecular imprints. In addition, the increase in solvent polarity can enhance the MIP/tetracycline binding due to the decrease in solute/solvent attraction. The high MIP affinity can be utilized in sensing, bioseparation and control release applications. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.