Hydrogels with the ability to change shape in response to biochemical stimuli are important for biosensing, smart medicine, drug delivery, and soft robotics. Here, a family of multicomponent DNA polymerization motor gels with different polymer backbones is created, including acrylamide‐
This content will become publicly available on August 30, 2024
The development of biomolecular stimuli-responsive hydrogels is important for biomimetic structures, soft robots, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. DNA polymerization gels are a new class of soft materials composed of polymer gel backbones with DNA duplex crosslinks that can be swollen by sequential strand displacement using hairpin-shaped DNA strands. The extensive swelling can be tuned using physical parameters such as salt concentration and biomolecule design. Previously, DNA polymerization gels have been used to create shape-changing gel automata with a large design space and high programmability. Here we systematically investigate how the swelling response of DNA polymerization gels can be tuned by adjusting the design and concentration of DNA crosslinks in the hydrogels or DNA hairpin triggers, and the ionic strength of the solution in which swelling takes place. We also explore the effect hydrogel size and shape have on the swelling response. Tuning these variables can alter the swelling rate and extent across a broad range and provide a quantitative connection between biochemical reactions and macroscopic material behaviour.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 1830893
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10474934
- Publisher / Repository:
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Soft Matter
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 34
- ISSN:
- 1744-683X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 6525 to 6534
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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