Simeth NA, de Mendoza P, Dubach VRA, Stuart MCA, Smith JW, Kudernac T, Browne WR, Feringa BL. Photoswitchable architecture transformation of a DNA-hybrid assembly at the microscopic and macroscopic scale.
Chem Sci 2022;
13:3263-3272. [PMID:
35414864 PMCID:
PMC8926171 DOI:
10.1039/d1sc06490h]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular recognition-driven self-assembly employing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a template is a promising approach to access complex architectures from simple building blocks. Oligonucleotide-based nanotechnology and soft-materials benefit from the high information storage density, self-correction, and memory function of DNA. Here we control these beneficial properties with light in a photoresponsive biohybrid hydrogel, adding an extra level of function to the system. An ssDNA template was combined with a complementary photo-responsive unit to reversibly switch between various functional states of the supramolecular assembly using a combination of light and heat. We studied the structural response of the hydrogel at both the microscopic and macroscopic scale using a combination of UV-vis absorption and CD spectroscopy, as well as fluorescence, transmission electron, and atomic force microscopy. The hydrogels grown from these supramolecular self-assembly systems show remarkable shape-memory properties and imprinting shape-behavior while the macroscopic shape of the materials obtained can be further manipulated by irradiation.
Molecular recognition-driven self-assembly employing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a template is a promising approach to access complex architectures from simple building blocks.![]()
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