M25 - Optimizing SERS-sensing polymeric hydrogels for the detection of charged small-molecules

Monday, October 6, 2025

9:45 AM - 5:30 PM EDT

Location: Ballroom C

Presenting Author(s)

Niloufar Yavari (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student
Department of Chemistry | University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Non-Presenting Author(s)

Manisha Sheokand

Graduate Student
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
LK

Lyndsay N. Kissell, PhD

Visiting Scholar
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Project Lead(s)

BS

Briana Simms

Assistant Professor
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
PS

Pietro Strobbia, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Submitter(s)

Niloufar Yavari (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student
Department of Chemistry | University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: SERS-sensing hydrogels for direct detection of biotargets and small-molecules

Abstract Text:

In-situ analysis is essential for agricultural and food-related applications. Food security is increasingly a major societal issue; developing reliable detection methods for pests and contaminants is critical to addressing this major challenge. The traditional methods in this field generally have low accuracy. On the other hand, lab-based biological tests like PCR and ELISA have expensive and time-consuming protocols. Our team has successfully developed a SERS-sensing hydrogel for the direct detection of tobacco mosaic virus, based on reagentless SERS sensors. These hydrogels were fabricated with biologically available gel materials, with agar working the best. However, these materials did not permit an understanding of the relation between hydrogel properties and sensing performance. To this end, we are studying the use of hyaluronic acid, a biopolymer that has been used extensively as a hydrogel backbone for a variety of biomedical applications. Our goal is to chemically modify the hydrogel polymeric backbone, tuning the overall net charge of the polymer, to match the properties of the desired target analytes. We hypothesize that the chemically optimized sensing platform can enhance target uptake and serve as a more effective semi-solid matrix for sensing. We also plan to integrate this sensing platform with aptamer-based sensors for in-situ detection of small-molecule food contaminants such as histamine, contributing to improved food safety in the future.