Highly sensitive protein detection using quenching effects from aptamer-functionalized photonic crystals

This paper proposes a new technique for protein detection using quenching effects from aptamer-functionalized photonic crystals. The surface of hydrogel based inverse opal structures are functionalized with aptamers and they are hybridized with quenchers. Then, target protein (thrombin) can be selectively, sensitively detected by monitoring the change of both intensity and color (change of reflective wavelength).