A Shape-Memory DNA-Based Hydrogel Exhibiting Two Internal Memories

Yuwei Hu, Weiwei Guo, Jason S. Kahn, Miguel Angel Aleman-Garcia, Itamar Willner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis of a shape-memory acrylamide-DNA hydrogel that includes two internal memories is introduced. The hydrogel is stabilized, at pH 7.0, by two different pH-responsive oligonucleotide crosslinking units. At pH 10.0, one of the T-A-T triplex DNA bridging units is dissociated, resulting in the dissociation of the hydrogel into a shapeless quasi-liquid state that includes the other oligonucleotide bridges as internal memory. Similarly, at pH 5.0, the second type of bridges is separated, through the formation of C-G-C+ triplex units to yield the shapeless quasi-liquid state that includes the other oligonucleotide bridges as internal memory. By reversible pH triggering of the hydrogel between the values 10.0-7.0-5.0, the two internal memories cycle the material across shaped hydrogel and shapeless quasi-liquid states. The two memories enable the pH-dictated formation of two different hydrogel structures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4210-4214
Number of pages5
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume55
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Mar 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Keywords

  • DNA
  • gels
  • nanostructures
  • polymers
  • shape-memory materials

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