Monolithic DNApatite: An Elastic Apatite with Sub-Nanometer Scale Organo-Inorganic Structures.

Lee, Jin Woong; Lee, Byoungsang; Park, Cheol Hyun; Heo, Jun Hyuk; Lee, Tae Yoon; Lee, Dongtak; Bae, Jina; Sundharbaabu, Priyannth Ramasami et al. · Adv Mater · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HA) exhibits outstanding biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and natural anti-inflammatory properties. Pure HA, ion-doped HA, and HA-polymer composites are investigated, but critical limitations such as brittleness remain; numerous efforts are being made to address them. Herein, the novel self-crystallization of a polymeric single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) without additional phosphate ions for synthesizing deoxyribonucleic apatite (DNApatite) is presented. The synthesized DNApatite, DNA<sub>1</sub>Ca<sub>2.2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>1.3</sub>OH<sub>2.1</sub>, has a repetitive dual phase of inorganic HA crystals and amorphous organic ssDNA at the sub-nm scale, forming nanorods. Its mechanical properties, including toughness and elasticity, are significantly enhanced compared with those of HA nanorod, with a Young's modulus similar to that of natural bone.