Wearable Biosensor Detects Early Signs of Oral Inflammation

Researchers develop a tissue-adhesive sensor to monitor inflammation biomarkers and enable proactive dental care.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a wearable, tissue-adhesive biosensor designed to detect early signs of oral inflammation by targeting key biomarkers like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The highly sensitive sensor utilizes graphene-MXene technology and selective hydrogel layers to accurately measure inflammation at the molecular level, potentially enabling a shift from reactive to proactive dental care.

Why it matters

Detecting gum disease and other oral infections typically relies on clinical examinations, often identifying problems only after tissue damage has occurred. This new biosensor technology aims to provide early warning signs of inflammation, allowing for preventative treatment and potentially avoiding more serious health complications linked to poor oral health.

The details

The biosensor is engineered to detect inflammation biomarkers in the mouth with molecular precision. It utilizes a graphene-MXene sensing layer that binds to probes designed to attach only to TNF-α, a key protein indicative of inflammation. This allows for highly sensitive detection, with the ability to measure changes in charge when the target protein binds. The sensor also incorporates outer layers, including a selective-permeable hydrogel, to improve selectivity and filter out interfering molecules. Robust tissue adhesion is critical for accurate sensing, as the dynamic movement of oral tissues can significantly influence measurements.

  • The biosensor was detailed in a study published in the journal Science Advances on February 15, 2026.

The players

Dr. Chenglin Wu

An associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Texas A&M University who led the development and testing of the multi-layer biosensor.

Dr. Shaoting Lin

An assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Michigan State University who contributed to the development of the tissue-adhesive and selective-permeable hydrogel layers of the biosensor.

Dr. Jeffrey Cirillo

A Regents' Professor at Texas A&M's College of Medicine who contributed expertise in biological applications and clinical evaluation of the biosensor.

Dr. Hajime Sasaki

An associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan who provided insights into biomarkers and dental diseases, recognizing the importance of detecting TNF-α in the oral cavity.

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What they’re saying

“Our sensor could detect 100 to 150 [TNF-α proteins] per milliliter. For context, a patient with a viral infection might show symptoms at 10 million or 1 billion virus copies per milliliter.”

— Dr. Chenglin Wu, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

“My collaborator at Michigan State University engineered a very small opening that will only allow the smaller biomarkers through. Combining that with the highly selective probe attached to the sensing layer makes for accurate selectivity.”

— Dr. Chenglin Wu, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

“Sensing measurements can be significantly influenced by the dynamic movement of tissues. A more robust tissue bond allows for a more reliable sensing performance independent of the strain.”

— Dr. Shaoting Lin, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

“We systematically tested a few biomolecules of similar size. Due to the interaction between the biomolecule and the surrounding polymer network, there is an enhanced selectivity that distinguishes the transport of different biomolecules.”

— Dr. Shaoting Lin, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

“The goal was to see if this type of system would allow rapid, point-of-care detection.”

— Dr. Jeffrey Cirillo, Regents' Professor, Texas A&M University

What’s next

The researchers plan to conduct future clinical trials in animals and humans to further evaluate the biosensor's performance and potential for commercialization.

The takeaway

This wearable biosensor technology represents a significant advancement in proactive oral health monitoring, potentially enabling early detection of inflammation and the prevention of more serious dental and systemic health issues. The versatility of the materials used also suggests broader applications beyond oral health for personalized health monitoring.