Liquid Metal Nanocores Initiated Construction of Smart DNA-Polymer Microgels with Programmable and Regulable Functions and Near-Infrared Light-Driven Locomotion

Due to their sequence-directed functions and excellent biocompatibility, smart DNA microgels have attracted considerable research interest, and the combination of DNA microgels with functional nanostructures can further expand their applications in biosensing and biomedicine. Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) exhibiting both fluidic and metallic properties hold great promise for the development of smart soft materials; in particular, LM particles upon sonication can mediate radical-initiated polymerization reactions, thus allowing the combination of LMs and polymeric matrix to construct soft-soft materials. Herein, by forming active surfaces under sonication, LM nanoparticles (LM NPs) initiated localized radical polymerization reactions allow the combination of functional DNA units and different polymeric backbones to yield multifunctional core/shell microgels. The localized polymerization reaction allows fine control of the microgel compositions, and smart DNA microgels with tunable catalytic activities can be constructed. Moreover, due to the excellent photothermal effect of LM NPs, the resulting temperature gradient between microgels and surrounding solution upon NIR light irradiation can drive the oriented locomotion of the microgels, and remote control of the activity of these smart microgels can be achieved. These microgels may hold promise for various applications, such as the development of in vivo and in vitro biosensing and drug delivery systems. Surface-initiated polymerization reaction of gallium-based liquid metal nanoparticles under sonication allows the construction of smart core/shell microgels. Multifunctional DNA microgels with tunable properties were prepared by introducing different vinyl monomers and functional DNA structures and controlling the polymerization process. The photothermal effect of LM NPs also contributed to the NIR-driven motion of these smart microgels.image

Automated summary

Smart DNA microgels have excellent biocompatibility and sequence-directed functions, making them attractive for research. By combining DNA microgels with gallium-based liquid metals (LMs), their applications in biosensing and biomedicine can be further expanded. The combination of LM particles and polymeric matrix allows the construction of soft-soft materials, and the localized polymerization reaction enables the precise control of microgel compositions and the construction of microgels with tunable catalytic activities. Additionally, the photothermal effect of LM NPs allows for the remote control of microgel activity through NIR light irradiation.