pH-stimulated DNA hydrogels exhibiting shape-memory properties.

Guo, Weiwei; Lu, Chun-Hua; Orbach, Ron; Wang, Fuan; Qi, Xiu-Juan; Cecconello, Alessandro; Seliktar, Dror; Willner, Itamar · Adv Mater · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Nucleic acid-functionalized polyacrylamide chains that are cooperatively cross-linked by i-motif and nucleic acid duplex units yield, at pH 5.0, DNA hydrogels exhibiting shape-memory properties. Separation of the i-motif units at pH 8.0 dissolves the hydrogel into a quasi-liquid phase. The residual duplex units provide, however, a memory code in the quasi-liquid allowing the regeneration of the hydrogel shape at pH 5.0.

Medical subject headings