Use of DNA nanodevices in modulating the mechanical properties of polyacrylamide gels

Bernard Yurke, David C. Lin, Noshir A. Langrana

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Here we show that bulk materials can be given new properties through the incorporation of DNA-based nanodevices. In particular, by employing simple nanodevices as crosslinks in polyacrylamide gels we have made the mechanical properties of these gels responsive to the presence of particular DNA strands. Two examples will be focused on here. One consists of a polymer system that can be switched between a sol and a gel state though the application of DNA strands that either form crosslinks or remove crosslinks. The other consists of a hydrogel whose crosslinks incorporate a motor domain. The stiffness of this hydrogel can be altered through the application of fuel strands, which stiffen and lengthen the crosslinks, or through the application of removal strands which remove the fuel strands form the motor domain. Such DNA-responsive gels may find applications in biomedical technology ranging from drug delivery to tissue engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDNA Computing - 11th International Workshop on DNA Computing, DNA11, Revised Selected Papers
Pages417-426
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International Workshop on DNA Computing, DNA11 - London, ON, Canada
Duration: 6 Jun 20059 Jun 2005

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume3892 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference11th International Workshop on DNA Computing, DNA11
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityLondon, ON
Period6/06/059/06/05

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