DNA: From Carrier of Genetic Information to Polymeric Materials

Abstract

Research has shown that the DNA molecule can not only store genetic information but also serve as a polymeric biomolecule for the fabrication of functional materials. The unique precise molecular recognition capability and sequence programmability, combined with its good biocompatibility and biodegradability, impart the DNA molecule considerable potential for use in the construction of multifunctional materials. Depending on the composition, DNA-based materials have been generally categorized into pure DNA materials that are entirely composed of DNA and hybrid DNA materials that are composed of DNA and other functional compositions. Recently, we have developed a series of DNA-based materials that can be applied in diagnosis and therapy, and this review summarizes the relative work. Although challenges still exist regarding the real applications of DNA-based materials such as the high cost of DNA, the difficulty in scale-up, and the low resistance to nuclease, we believe that these drawbacks will be overcome with the development of technology, and new opportunities will emerge in the field of diagnosis and treatment.

DNA as in‐formation

“…Lily Kay argues that it was in the wake of these changes that "biological specificity became informational, and information, message and code eventually became biological concepts" (Kay 2000, p. 22). Today, DNA is often narrated as "central information storage system" (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2022) and as carrier of genetic information and instructions (Zhang et al 2019). Even though we are very familiar with this image of DNA as information, there are different positions about the actual character of that information.…”

DNA Functional Nanomaterials for Controlled Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Based Drugs

“…Pure DNA nanomaterials are primarily constructed via self-assembly and DNA amplification technology ( Zhang et al, 2019 ). Pure DNA nanomaterials take full advantage of self-assembly capability between DNA building blocks and nucleic acid drugs to realize controlled assembly and release of nucleic acid drugs as designed.…”

“…DNA, which is traditionally regarded as a genetic molecule, possesses excellent sequence programmability, precise molecular recognition, and abundant biological functions ( Li F. et al, 2019 ; Dong et al, 2020 ). In 1953, Waston and Crick first reported the double-helix structure of DNA, leading to an extensive study on the structure of DNA ( Li F. et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2019 ). Conventional Watson-Crick base pairing refers to cytosine[C] and guanine[G] pairing, and adenine [A] and thymine [T] pairing ( Zhang et al, 2019 ).…”

“…In 1953, Waston and Crick first reported the double-helix structure of DNA, leading to an extensive study on the structure of DNA ( Li F. et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2019 ). Conventional Watson-Crick base pairing refers to cytosine[C] and guanine[G] pairing, and adenine [A] and thymine [T] pairing ( Zhang et al, 2019 ). In the early 1980s, Seeman initially proposed that DNA could function as building tiles for precisely constructing ordered nanostructure based on the Watson-Crick base pairing principle, opening a new frontier of DNA nanotechnology ( Yuan et al, 2019 ; Dong et al, 2020 ).…”

DNA-Based Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Cancer Cell Membrane Imaging

“…Each monomer consists of a phosphate group, deoxyribose, and one of four nitrogenous nucleobases, while the nucleobases include thymine (T), adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C) [ 17 , 18 ]. Watson and Crick reported the double helix structure of DNA for the first time in 1953, leading to extensive research on DNA structure [ 19 ]. DNA, the traditional genetic molecule, has attracted a great deal of interest due to its exceptional sequence programmability, high molecular recognition accuracy, and numerous biological functions.…”