In this work we explored a simple, cheap and fast route to grow polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes arranged in an ordered structure directly on an electrode surface by electrochemical polymerisation. The deposited nanostructures were electrochemically and morphologically characterised and then used as a functional substrate for biochemical sensing by combining the intrinsic advantages of nanostructures as optimal transducers and the well known benefits of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as receptors. The hybrid nanostructured-MIP sensor was applied to the molecular recognition of catechol. Moreover, a gas sensing application was also investigated by exploiting resistance variation of the polymer in presence of different gases (CO, NO2, NH3 and ethanol).