Tuning phase and aging of DNA hydrogels through molecular design
Tuning phase and aging of DNA hydrogels through molecular design
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DOI：
10.1039/c7sm00557a
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发表时间：
2017-08-28
期刊：
影响因子：
3.4
通讯作者：
Saleh, Omar A.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Nguyen, Dan T.;Saleh, Omar A.
DNA的可编程的、依赖于序列的杂交刺激了DNA水凝胶的发展，DNA水凝胶是一种在水中膨胀的聚合物网络，由全部或部分DNA组成。特定的应用需要特定结构的水凝胶来实现最佳功能。在这里，我们使用自组装的多价DNA纳米星来研究水凝胶结构如何受到其相互作用组分的非平衡动力学的影响。我们发现，水凝胶老化动力学--从停滞的类似固体的渗流网络到类似凝聚物的平衡相分离液体--受到DNA杂交强度和离子特定的NanSTAR内部柔韧性的调节。总之，我们的结果展示了通过合理设计成胶元件和溶剂条件来控制水凝胶动力学现象，从而控制水凝胶结构的策略。
The programmable, sequence-dependent hybridization of DNA has spurred the development of DNA hydrogels, polymer networks that swell in water and are comprised either entirely or partially of DNA. Specific applications require hydrogels of particular structure for optimal functionality. Here, we use self-assembling, multi-valent DNA nanostars to examine how hydrogel structure is influenced by the non-equilibrium dynamics of its interacting components. We show that hydrogel aging kinetics-from an arrested, solid-like percolated network to an equilibrium, phase-separated liquid analogous to coacervates - are modulated by DNA hybridization strength and ion-specific nanostar internal flexibility. Together, our results demonstrate strategies to control hydrogel kinetic phenomena, and thus the hydrogel structure, through the rational design of gel-forming elements and solvent conditions.