Shape-memory and self-healing functions of DNA-based carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels driven by chemical or light triggers

Abstract

Photoresponsive hydrogels crosslinked by trans-azobenzene/β-cyclodextrin and duplex DNA or K+-G-quadruplex are described. The hydrogels reveal shape-memory functions and self-healing properties.

Biocatalytic reversible control of the stiffness of DNA-modified responsive hydrogels: applications in shape-memory, self-healing and autonomous controlled release of insulin

“…39,40 Indeed, hydrogels cooperatively stabilized by duplex nucleic acid bridges and signal-triggered, recongurable cross-linkers were reported, demonstrating control over the stiffness of the hydrogels by means of pH, 39,41,42 K + -ions/ crown ethers 43,44 or light. [45][46][47] Also, aptamer-modied hydrogels were reported as functional matrices for the release of protein drugs. 48 Recently, light-induced control over the stiffness of hydrogels through incorporation of plasmonic Au nanoparticles/Au nanorods into duplex nucleic acid-bridged hydrogels was reported.…”

“…49 These Au nanoparticlefunctionalized hydrogels enable thermoplasmonic heating, resulting in the thermal separation of the nucleic acid bridges and control over the stiffness of the hydrogel matrices. In addition, stimulus-responsive hydrogels were suggested to enable various applications, including the development of shape-memory, 39,41,50,51 self-healing matrices, 15,46,47 assembly of triggered and switchable drug release materials 52 and carriers, 53 the design of hydrogels exhibiting triggered mechanical bending properties, 54 the control over ion-transport through nanopores, 55 and the development of switchable electrocatalytic hydrogel materials. 43,44 Here we report the incorporation of enzymes into DNA-based hydrogels to yield biocatalytic control over the stiffness of the matrices, especially, we demonstrate the integration of glucose oxidase (GOx), acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and urease in polyacrylamide hydrogels cooperatively stabilized by two pHresponsive crosslinking motifs (Fig.…”

Binding and Beyond: What Else Can G‐Quadruplex Ligands Do?

“…But this does not confine interest in G4 to the biological community alone; the precise folding of such structures into well‐defined shapes and their polymorphism, that can be controlled by different conditions and stimuli, point to exciting applications of these structures away from the biological milieu in the development of new responsive enzymes, switches,, and functional materials …”

Photoresponsive Self‐Assembled DNA Nanomaterials: Design, Working Principles, and Applications

“…This property triggered permanent memories and self‐healing processes. These two functions demonstrate the potential of DNA hydrogel as photon‐triggered shape‐memory and self‐healing materials for drug delivery and sensing …”