Flash Synthesis of DNA Hydrogel via Supramacromolecular Assembly of DNA Chains and Upconversion Nanoparticles for Cell Engineering

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogel has been synthesized generally via the molecular interaction of either DNA base-pairing, covalent bonding, or physical entanglement. To surmount the limitations of DNA as the sole module in materials, new assembly modes are desired to incorporate to expand the functionalities of DNA hydrogel. Herein, a supramacromolecular assembly-based strategy is reported to prepare a hybrid DNA hydrogel via interfacial assembly of DNA chains and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), remarkably of which the synthesis process finished within one second, termed as flash synthesis. The flash synthesis is accomplished through the electrostatic attraction, interfacial assembly, and cross-linking of DNA chains on the surface of UCNPs. The length of DNA and the crystalline form of UCNPs are proven to be essential factors in the construction of a hydrogel network. The rationally designed DNA endowed hydrogel with functions to precisely recognize and isolate specific cells, and lanthanide ions-doped UCNPs protected cells from the damage of near-infrared irradiation through the upconversion effect. It is envisioned that the flash synthesis provides a new mode to prepare the DNA hydrogel and expands the functionalities to realize more real-world applications.