Aptamer empowered hydrogels: Fabrication and bio-sensing applications

Aptamer-based hydrogels have drawn great attention due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, responsiveness, and stability. Aptamers are utilized to obtain specific molecular recognition. Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or RNA molecules selected through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process, to bind to a specific target with high affinity and specificity. Aptamer functionalized hydrogels have become popular in a wide range of promising applications with the advantages of a vast target distribution, good stability, easy modification, and low cost. In this review, the recent progress on aptamer functionalized hydrogels including their design, fabrication, and bio-sensing applications have been summarized. The prospects and challenges have also been discussed.