Encapsulation of ionic nanoparticles produces reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive microgel useful for molecular detection

Abstract

Encapsulation of ionic nanoparticles in a hydrogel microparticle, i.e. microgel, produces a target-stimulated probe for molecular detection. Selective reactive oxygen species (ROS) release the enclosed cations from the microgel which subsequently turn on the fluorogenic dyes to emit intense fluorescence, permitting rapid detection of ROS or ROS-producing molecules. The ROS-responsive microgel provides the advantages of simple fabrication, bright and stable signals, easy handling, and rapid response, carrying great promise in biomedical applications.