DNA-templated microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured hydroxyapatite for storing and sustained release of an antibacterial protein.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is promising in various biomedical applications owing to its similar chemical composition, structure and properties to the inorganic component in natural hard tissues. Herein, we report a DNA-templated microwave-assisted hydrothermal strategy for the preparation of HA nanostructured materials. As a kind of natural biomacromolecule, DNA molecules open up a new way to the synthesis of HA nanostructured materials with well-defined structures and morphologies. The HA nanostructured materials with a nanosheet-assembled hierarchical structure and a HA nanorod ordered structure are successfully prepared. The important roles of DNA molecules and pH values in the formation of HA nanostructured materials are investigated, and a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials exhibit a relatively high adsorption ability for chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) protein and a sustained protein release behavior. The as-prepared HA nanostructured materials after loading the IgY protein show a high antimicrobial activity. Thus, the HA nanostructured materials prepared by the DNA-templated microwave hydrothermal method are promising for the applications in various areas such as the prevention and treatment of dental caries.