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Tissue-adhesive hydrogel-MXene biosensor for in situ intraoral TNF-α detection
Tsz Hung Wong1, Weijia Liu2, Jiaoli Li2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
Science Advances
|January 16, 2026
Summary
A novel tissue-adhesive hydrogel-MXene biosensor enables sensitive, in situ detection of oral biomarkers. This advance promises more accurate and efficient real-time diagnostics for oral conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Current dental diagnostics face limitations in balancing efficiency and accuracy.
- In situ biosensors for oral tissue face challenges in sensitivity, specificity, and stability.
- Biomarker detection in the oral cavity is complicated by low concentrations and dynamic interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a tissue-adhesive hydrogel-MXene (TAHM) biosensor for in situ detection of biomarkers.
- To overcome limitations of current oral diagnostics and biosensor deployment.
- To enable real-time monitoring of proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-α.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a graphene/MXene sensing probe, tissue-adhesive patch, and hydrogel membrane.
- Development of a TAHM biosensor for in situ detection of tumor necrosis factor-α.
- Validation through in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments.
Main Results:
- Achieved high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 18.2 fg/mL for tumor necrosis factor-α.
- Demonstrated excellent selectivity with an interference coefficient below 7%.
- Exhibited mechanical stability with resistance variation under 0.5% under mechanical stress.
Conclusions:
- The TAHM biosensor offers a sensitive, selective, and stable platform for oral biomarker detection.
- This technology has the potential to significantly improve real-time oral diagnostics.
- Highlights the transformative potential of in situ biosensors for oral healthcare.
