3D Printed Sugar-Sensing Hydrogels

Abstract

The ability of boronic acids to reversibly bind diols, such as sugars, has been widely studied in recent years. In solution, through the incorporation of additional fluorophores, this boronic acid-sugar interaction can be monitored by changes in fluorescence. Ultimately, a practical realization of this technology requires a transition from solution-based methodologies. Herein we present the first example of 3D printed sugar-sensing hydrogels, achieved through the incorporation of a boronic acid-fluorophore pair in a gelatin methacrylamide-based matrix. Through optimization of monomeric cocktails, it was possible to use extrusion printing to generate structured porous hydrogels which show a measurable and reproducible linear fluorescence response to glucose and fructose up to 100 mM.