Dual-functional DNA nanogels for anticancer drug delivery.

DNA hydrogels with unique sequence programmability on nucleic acid framework manifest remarkable attributes, such as high payload capacities, biocompatibility and biosafety. The availability of DNA nanogels with multimodal functionalities remains limited due to the absence of facile gelation methods applicable at the nanometer scale. Here, we developed a one-step assembly of DNA dendrimers into nanogels (DNG) with couple hundred nanometers size.

Self-Assembly of Dendritic DNA into a Hydrogel: Application in Three-Dimensional Cell Culture.

With inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique programmability, hydrogels with a DNA framework show great potential in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. Here, a DNA hydrogel was assembled by a dendritic DNA with four branches. The hydrogel showed tunable mechanical strength and reversible thixotropy even under a nanomolar DNA concentration.