Programmable and Multifunctional DNA‐Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

DNA encodes the genetic information; recently, it has also become a key player in material science. Given the specific Watson-Crick base-pairing interactions between only four types of nucleotides, well-designed DNA self-assembly can be programmable and predictable. Stem-loops, sticky ends, Holliday junctions, DNA tiles, and lattices are typical motifs for forming DNA-based structures. The oligonucleotides experience thermal annealing in a near-neutral buffer containing a divalent cation (usually Mg ) to produce a variety of DNA nanostructures. These structures not only show beautiful landscape, but can also be endowed with multifaceted functionalities. This Review begins with the fundamental characterization and evolutionary trajectory of DNA-based artificial structures, but concentrates on their biomedical applications. The coverage spans from controlled drug delivery to high therapeutic profile and accurate diagnosis. A variety of DNA-based materials, including aptamers, hydrogels, origamis, and tetrahedrons, are widely utilized in different biomedical fields. In addition, to achieve better performance and functionality, material hybridization is widely witnessed, and DNA nanostructure modification is also discussed. Although there are impressive advances and high expectations, the development of DNA-based structures/technologies is still hindered by several commonly recognized challenges, such as nuclease instability, lack of pharmacokinetics data, and relatively high synthesis cost.

<p>Poly(N-Isopropyl-Acrylamide)/Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid) Thermo-Sensitive Hydrogels Loaded with Superoxide Dismutase for Wound Dressing Application</p>

“…It has been widely studied and applied in the biomedical field. 10,11 Although the traditional dressing has some advantages for wound healing, it is not suitable for large areas and irregular wounds because of lack of environmental sensitivity, especially thermo-sensitivity. If the hydrogels are sensitive to temperature, they can have many advantages for clinical applications, such as flexibility and injectability 12,13 and similarity to the extracellular matrix for supporting cell attachment, proliferation, migration as well as differentiation.…”

Progress toward Understanding the Interactions between DNA Nanostructures and the Cell

“…Addressing these limitations for rationally designing DNA nanostructures for intracellular applications, in turn, necessitates in‐depth, mechanistic understanding in the 1) structural parameters that govern the cellular uptake of DNA nanostructures, 2) mechanism for their cellular uptake (e.g., pathways and receptors involved), and 3) intracellular fate (e.g., trafficking and degradation). Note that representative reviews recently published in the field of DNA nanotechnology predominantly covered the structural design, model simulation, and biomedical applications of DNA nanostructures.…”

Recent Advances in Multicomponent Particle Assembly

“…The interaction betweenc omponents can lead to synergetic effects of co-assemblies, [17] which provide ap latformt om anufacture devices with novel photonic, electronic, and biomedical properties. [4,101] To achieve practical industrial application,i t needs large-area fabrication withw ell controllability,t hus the combination of method optimization and technological benefits are also important.…”