A fluorescence biosensor is described that is based on a photopolymerized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel incorporating fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran) and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate concanavalin A (TRITC-Con A) chemically conjugated into the hydrogel network using an alpha-acryloyl, omega-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of PEG-propionic acid. In the absence of glucose, TRITC-Con A binds with FITC-dextran, and the FITC fluorescence is quenched through fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Competitive glucose binding to TRITC-Con A liberates FITC-dextran, resulting in increased FITC fluorescence proportional to the glucose concentration. In vitro experiments of hydrogel spheres in a solution of 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.2) and glucose were conducted for multiple TRITC-Con A/FITC-dextran ratios. Hydrogels were characterized on the basis of the percent change in fluorescence intensity when FITC-dextran was liberated by increasing glucose concentrations. The optimum fluorescent change between 0 and 800 mg/dL was obtained with a TRITC-Con A/FITC-dextran mass ratio of 500:5 micrograms/mL PEG. Fluorescent response was linear up to 600 mg/dL. At higher concentrations, the response saturated due to the displacement of the majority of the FITC-dextran and to concentration quenching by free FITC-dextran. Dynamic fluorescent change upon glucose addition was approximately 10 min for a glucose concentration step change from 0 to 200 mg/dL.

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