Sequence Does Not Matter: The Biomedical Applications of DNA-Based Coatings and Cores

Abstract

Biomedical applications of DNA are diverse but are usually associated with specific recognition of target nucleotide sequences or proteins and with gene delivery for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. However, other aspects of DNA functionalities, like its nontoxicity, biodegradability, polyelectrolyte nature, stability, thermo-responsivity and charge transfer ability that are rather independent of its sequence, have recently become highly appreciated in material science and biomedicine. Whereas the latest achievements in structural DNA nanotechnology associated with DNA sequence recognition and Watson–Crick base pairing between complementary nucleotides are regularly reviewed, the recent uses of DNA as a raw material in biomedicine have not been summarized. This review paper describes the main biomedical applications of DNA that do not involve any synthesis or extraction of oligo- or polynucleotides with specified sequences. These sequence-independent applications currently include some types of drug delivery systems, biocompatible coatings, fire retardant and antimicrobial coatings and biosensors. The reinforcement of DNA properties by DNA complexation with nanoparticles is also described as a field of further research.

Implants with Sensing Capabilities

“…This type of sensors is very specific in fields where nucleic acid identification is included with sensitivities as low as 0.05 nM of doxorubicin, 0.1 nM of daunorubicin, and 0.5 nM of idarubicin. 260 Therefore, they can be useful when specific type of infection is suspected or identified and treated, e.g., Vibrio cholerae 261 or viruses. 262 3.6.4.…”

“…Such an approach enables quicker and less expensive data collection for pathogen recognition and diagnostics. Therefore, DNA-based coatings are used with dental implants, which is very important for diagnosis and early interference to preserve implants. This type of sensors is very specific in fields where nucleic acid identification is included with sensitivities as low as 0.05 nM of doxorubicin, 0.1 nM of daunorubicin, and 0.5 nM of idarubicin .…”

“…Therefore, DNA-based coatings are used with dental implants, which is very important for diagnosis and early interference to preserve implants. This type of sensors is very specific in fields where nucleic acid identification is included with sensitivities as low as 0.05 nM of doxorubicin, 0.1 nM of daunorubicin, and 0.5 nM of idarubicin . Therefore, they can be useful when specific type of infection is suspected or identified and treated, e.g., Vibrio cholerae or viruses …”

DNA/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite to Attenuate Glass Surface Nanotopography for Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation

“…Being a natural polyanion, DNA is a perspective material for various biomedical applications [53] due to its physico-chemical properties, nontoxicity, non-or low immunogenicity [54], the ability to incorporate other compounds [55] and high phosphate content [56]. Due to modern methods of DNA isolation and purification, eukaryotic DNA is now a rather cheap material that can be obtained in high amounts from such sources as fish wastes [57] and vegetable scraps [58].…”

Molecular Organization in Exponentially Growing Multilayer Thin Films Assembled with Polyelectrolytes and Clay

“…Clay is one such component that has also been successfully LbL-assembled with polyelectrolytes to form advanced materials. Some of the most recent examples of the potential applications of the polymer-clay multilayers are as barrier thin films [ 2 , 3 ], anti-corrosion coatings [ 4 , 5 ], membranes with tailored nanochannels [ 6 ], phosphorescence thin films [ 7 ], waste treatment membranes [ 8 ], fire-retardant nanocomposites [ 9 ], super-strong chemically inert films [ 10 ], and in biomedical applications [ 11 , 12 ]. Clays are phyllosilicate minerals and are known for their exceptional mechanical and barrier properties.…”