The object with the funtionalized hydrogel surface for detection of analyte molecules is obtainable by a process including (1) providing a hydrogel layer on a base surface; (2) bonding organic molecules to the hydrogel layer, each including a chain of atoms with a chain length of at least 8 atoms and a terminal group, which is an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, or a derivative thereof, and (3) reacting the terminal group with a receptor molecule that contains at least three groups, each of which is an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphonic acid group, or a derivative thereof. The receptor molecule can be a protein and the hydrogel can include a water-swellable organic polymer. A method of detecting analyte molecules, for example by surface resonance spectroscopy, is also part of the invention.