Advanced applications of DNA hydrogels in fluorescence sensing

In recent years, DNA hydrogels have attracted widespread attention in the field of fluorescence detection due to their high sensitivity and lower biotoxicity, providing new tools for research such as cell imaging and oxidative stress response. Simultaneously, they have shown potential applications in environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics. This article further explores the research on DNA hydrogels in nucleic acid and biomarker detection, as well as their applications in environmental pollution and targeted drug delivery. Finally, it highlights the prospects of DNA hydrogels as multifunctional fluorescence detection platforms, providing important references for future research in areas such as molecular recognition, biomarker detection, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. This review summarizes the latest research findings, offering readers comprehensive insights into the application of DNA hydrogels in the field of fluorescence detection. •A comprehensive review of the applications of DNA hydrogels in fluorescence detection is presented.•The sensitive detection of biomarkers and pollutants by DNA hydrogels is described.•The integration and application of DNA hydrogels with fluorescent probes are demonstrated.•Future research trends and directions are discussed.