There is an urgent need to develop a rapid and selective method for the detection of bacteria because delayed diagnosis and the overuse of antibiotics have triggered drug resistance in bacteria. To this end, we prepared boronic acid-modified poly(amidoamine) generation 4 (B-PAMAM(G4)) dendrimer as cross-linking molecules that form aggregates with bacteria. Within 5 min of adding B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer solution to a bacterial suspension, large aggregates were observed. Interestingly, the aggregate formation with various bacteria was pH-dependent. In basic pH, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria formed aggregates, but in neutral pH, only Gram-positive bacteria formed aggregates. We revealed that this bacteria-selective aggregation involved the bacterial surface recognition of the phenylboronic acid moiety of B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer. In addition, we demonstrated that the spherical structure of B-PAMAM(G4) was one of the important factors for the formation of large aggregates. The aggregation was also observed in the presence of ≤10 mM fructose. B-PAMAM(G4) dendrimer is expected to be a powerful tool for the rapid and selective discrimination between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are water-soluble host compounds having nano-size hydrophobic cavities that enable them to incorporate organic molecules in water. Optically inert CDs can be efficiently combined with various types of chromoionophores and fluoroionophores. In this study, using diverse combinations of phenylboronic acid fluorescent sensors and azoprobes with CDs, the unique saccharide recognition functions of CD, chemically modified CD, and CD gel complexes based on their synergistic function are clarified, thereby confirming their use as supramolecular saccharide sensors. To realize novel supramolecular chirality, the twisted structure of two ditopic azoprobes inside the γ-CD chiral cavity is controlled by multi-point recognition of guest ions in water. As different types of supramolecular saccharide sensors, phenylboronic acid-based self-assembling systems are also reviewed.

Protein-crosslinked nanogels were prepared by introducing vitamin B₆ (pyridoxal) to hydrophilic polysaccharide. The pH dependence of Schiff base formation was utilized to generate a pH-sensitive nanogel system. This approach represents a new method to prepare hybrid nanogels crosslinked with biomolecules.

The selective molecular recognition event by physical or chemical signals is a key concept for the design of novel supramolecular sensors. In this study, we designed a novel saccharide recognition system based on the self-assembly of phenylboronic acid azoprobes (1-BAzo-NPs) on the surface of the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer in water. The two sulfonic acid moieties in 1-BAzo-NP enhanced the binding affinity of the azoprobe for the PAMAM dendrimer surface. UV-Vis spectral measurements indicated that 1-BAzo-NP showed poor saccharide recognition at pH 7.0, whereas the 1-BAzo-NP–PAMAM complex well recognized the saccharides, particularly glucose. The complexation with glucose yielded aggregates having diameters of 100–200 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sensitivity to and selectivity for the saccharides were controlled by the density of the assembled phenylboronic acid azoprobes and PAMAM generation. Together, the results revealed that the selective saccharide recognition at pH 7.0 was feasible by boronic acid assembly on the PAMAM dendrimer surface.