Hydrogel-Based Biosensors

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in sensing applications for a variety of analytes in aqueous environments, as conventional methods do not work reliably under humid conditions or they require complex equipment with experienced operators. Hydrogel sensors are easy to fabricate, are incredibly sensitive, and have broad dynamic ranges. Experiments on their robustness, reliability, and reusability have indicated the possible long-term applications of these systems in a variety of fields, including disease diagnosis, detection of pharmaceuticals, and in environmental testing. It is possible to produce hydrogels, which, upon sensing a specific analyte, can adsorb it onto their 3D-structure and can therefore be used to remove them from a given environment. High specificity can be obtained by using molecularly imprinted polymers. Typical detection principles involve optical methods including fluorescence and chemiluminescence, and volume changes in colloidal photonic crystals, as well as electrochemical methods. Here, we explore the current research utilizing hydrogel-based sensors in three main areas: (1) biomedical applications, (2) for detecting and quantifying pharmaceuticals of interest, and (3) detecting and quantifying environmental contaminants in aqueous environments.

Wondrous Yellow Molecule: Are Hydrogels a Successful Strategy to Overcome the Limitations of Curcumin?

“…They encapsulate the drug in their matrix, which allows the administration of the drug orally, topically, or parenterally, with specific, targeted properties with controlled or delayed release. This formulation increases the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs and enables combining several compounds in one hydrogel matrix [25][26][27][28]. Considering the above-discussed properties of hydrogels, these matrices can be used as a promising delivery system for low soluble hydrophobic therapeutic agents such as curcumin.…”

3D Printing for Cancer Diagnosis: What Unique Advantages Are Gained?

“…These techniques allow for the production of functional devices with active moieties readily introduced into the polymeric network. For example, DLP-3D printing has been used to produce enzyme-loaded hydrogels that can interact with molecules in their immediate environment, while mass-sensitive polymeric biosensors with ordered immobilization of biomolecules have been fabricated using 3D printing. − While 3D printing offers many benefits, it requires photocurable formulations, and the manufacturing process may still be complex and requires trained personnel.…”

Unraveling the New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Hydrogels: State-of-the-Art and Translational Applications

“…Additionally, there is a conflict between the swelling of the hydrogel caused by the fluid and the analysis, which could influence how the analyte levels are assessed [ 194 ]. They are used in sensing glucose, nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes [ 195 , 196 , 197 ].…”