Genipin-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels were successfully synthesized, and their optical and mechanical properties characterized. Enzymatic tests showed good sensitivity of the hydrogels to proteases. Bacterial tests and genomic investigation then confirmed that the hydrogels could potentially be used to detect P. aeruginosa strains releasing active metalloproteases. We have used the gelatin hydrogel in a multi-layer system containing phage INV-03 and showed a reduction in the CFU of P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain after degradation of the gelatin layer. We believe this system has potential as a future wound dressing candidate having all the beneficial properties of a hydrogel along with the ability to detect and treat certain Pseudomonas strains. The system could also be used to differentiate acute from chronic P. aeruginosa infections. For instance, chronic airway infections of cystic fibrosis are associated with LasR mutated strains which is not the case for acute infections. For this sensing system to be viable in a clinical setting, it should then be tested against biofilms and also against matrix-metalloproteases, a class of human cells metalloproteases, which are commonly found in wound infections.