Aptamer-functionalized 2D photonic crystal hydrogels for detection of adenosine

Aptamer-functionalized two-dimensional photonic crystal (2DPC) hydrogels are reported for the detection of adenosine (AD). As a molecular recognition group, an AD-binding aptamer was covalently attached to 2DPC hydrogels. This aptamer selectively and sensitively binds AD, changing the conformation of the aptamer from a long single-stranded structure (AD-free conformation) to a short hairpin loop structure (AD-bound conformation). The AD-binding-induced changes of aptamer conformation reduced the volume of the 2DPC hydrogels and decreased the interparticle spacing of the 2DPC embedded in the hydrogel network. The particle spacing changes being dependent on AD concentration were determined by measuring 2DPC light diffraction using a simple laser pointer. The 2DPC hydrogel sensor showed a large particle spacing decrease of ~ 110 nm in response to 1 mM AD in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The linear range of determination of AD was 0.1 nM to 1 mM and the limit of detection was 0.09 nM. The hydrogel sensor response for real samples was then validated in diluted fetal bovine serum (FBS) and human urine. The average % difference in particle spacing changes measured between diluted FBS and pure PBS was only 3.99%. In diluted human urine, the recoveries for the detection of AD were 95–101% and the relative standard deviations were 4.9–7.8%. The results demonstrate the potential applicability of the hydrogel sensor for real samples. This sensing concept, using the aptamer-functionalized 2DPC hydrogels, allows for a simple, sensitive, selective, and reversible detection of AD. It may enable sensor development for a wide variety of analytes by simply changing the aptamer recognition group. Graphical abstract