[Research progress in hydrogel-based sensing technologies for disease-associated small molecules]

Hydrogels, characterized by their exceptional biocompatibility, soft matter properties, and tunable structures, have emerged as advanced novel materials for research and development in fields such as biomedicine and environmental resources. Small molecules, including biological metabolites, hormones, and heavy metals, are critically implicated in the onset and progression of diseases. Consequently, the development of hydrogel-based sensing technologies for disease-associated small molecules holds significant importance for personalized disease prediction and diagnosis. The diversity in hydrogel types and binding mechanisms enables their application across various scenarios. Leveraging mechanisms such as exclusion effects, matrix effects, confinement effects, electrical conductivity, and stimulus responsiveness, hydrogels enhance the selectivity, operational convenience, sensitivity, responsivity, and rapidity of small molecule sensing. Integrating approaches like electrochemistry, immunoassays, molecular imprinting, fluorescence sensing, and nano-sensing, the development of hydrogel-based small molecule sensors has achieved substantial progress. This paper summarizes the structures and functional properties of hydrogels and relevant applications of hydrogel-based sensing for small molecules, with a particular focus on the current research status and applications of hydrogel-based diagnostic technologies for disease-associated small molecules. Furthermore, it outlines future development directions and promising prospects for hydrogel-based disease diagnostics. This paper provides a theoretical foundation for developing specific and efficient point-of-care and home-based diagnostic technologies for disease-related small molecules.