Bioresponsive DNA-co-polymer hydrogels for fabrication of sensors

Bioresponsive hydrogels that include DNA within a non-DNA network (DNA-co-polymer hydrogels) constitute a group of soft materials possessing selective recognition ability hosted by the included DNA structure. They are furthermore characterized by the changes to the hydrogel properties which follow the recognition of the biological analyte. Such hydrogels can be synthesized with desired recognition ability through the selection of particular nucleotide sequence that is recognizing or binding ions, small molecules, biomolecules or parts of larger entities. The binding of the label-free analyte triggers a response of the hydrogel, such as changes in its swelling volume, mass, optical or mechanical properties. The hydrogel response is mediated by changes in network parameters such as charge density, crosslinking density or a combination of these associated with the interaction with the analyte. Bioresponsive DNA polymer hydrogels have found wide application in biosensors due to their versatile nature.

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