Designer, Programmable DNA-peptide hybrid materials with emergent properties to probe and modulate biological systems

The chemistry of DNA endows it with certain functional properties that facilitate the generation of self-assembled nanostructures, offering precise control over their geometry and morphology, that can be exploited for advanced biological applications. Despite the structural promise of these materials, their applications are limited owing to lack of functional capability to interact favourably with biological systems, which has been achieved by functional proteins or peptides. Herein, we outline a strategy for functionalizing DNA structures with short-peptides, leading to the formation of DNA-peptide hybrid materials. This proposition offers the opportunity to leverage the unique advantages of each of these bio-molecules, that have far reaching emergent properties in terms of better cellular interactions and uptake, better stability in biological media, an acceptable and programmable immune response and high bioactive molecule loading capacities. We discuss the synthetic strategies for the formation of these materials, namely, solid-phase functionalization and solution-coupling functionalization. We then proceed to highlight selected biological applications of these materials in the domains of cell instruction & molecular recognition, gene delivery, drug delivery and bone & tissue regeneration. We conclude with discussions shedding light on the challenges that these materials pose and offer our insights on future directions of peptide-DNA research for targeted biomedical applications.

Automated summary

The chemistry of DNA allows for the creation of self-assembled nanostructures with precise control over their geometry and morphology, which is beneficial for advanced biological applications. However, the lack of functional capability to interact favorably with biological systems limits their use. In this article, a strategy for functionalizing DNA structures with short peptides is outlined, leading to the formation of DNA-peptide hybrid materials. These materials combine the unique advantages of both molecules, resulting in better cellular interactions and uptake, improved stability in biological media, acceptable and programmable immune responses, and high bioactive molecule loading capacities. Selected biological applications of these materials in cell instruction, molecular recognition, gene delivery, drug delivery, and bone and tissue regeneration are discussed. The challenges and future directions of peptide-DNA research for targeted biomedical applications are also addressed.