Preparation strategies and biomedical applications of DNA hydrogels

Abstract

With the progressive development of DNA nanotechnology and synthetic biology, the applications of DNA have expanded from traditional genetics study to materials science. By employing DNA as a structural framework or cross-linking agent, DNA hydrogels retain a hydrophilic three-dimensional (3D) network structure similar to biological tissues, exhibiting high biocompatibility, programmable responsiveness, and specific recognition functions. In this perspective, we summarize the preparation strategies of DNA hydrogels, analyze their application advantages, and highlight recent advances in areas such as cell culture, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Finally, we discuss the current challenges in DNA hydrogel development and offer insights into future research directions.