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A Fluorescent Biofunctional DNA Hydrogel Prepared by Enzymatic Polymerization
Author(s) -
Geng Jinhui,
Yao Chi,
Kou Xiaohong,
Tang Jianpu,
Luo Dan,
Yang Dayong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201700998
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , biocompatibility , dna , polymerization , nanoclusters , materials science , nanotechnology , fluorescence , biosensor , biomolecule , polymer , chemistry , polymer chemistry , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy , composite material
DNA has arisen as a promising building material for the construction of hydrogels owing to its unique properties such as designability and biocompatibility. All‐DNA hydrogels with only DNA molecules may have limited applications; hence a composite DNA hydrogel with multifunctional moieties is highly desired to cater for specific applications. Herein, a multifunctional DNA hydrogel is created by incorporating DNA with silver nanoclusters (AgNCs), in which AgNCs render the hydrogel simultaneously with fluorescent and antibacterial functions. A circular DNA is rationally designed, which allows for the elongation of DNA chain via an enzymatic polymerization as well as the formation of AgNCs onto DNA scaffolds. The resultant hybrid DNA hydrogel not only shows distinctive morphology and mechanical properties, but also exhibits fluorescent and antibacterial functions. These characteristics, along with its biocompatibility, will allow the hydrogel to be suitable for a variety of potential biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, wound dressing, biosensing, and bioimaging.