The Peculiar Response of DNA Hydrogel Fibers to a Salt and pH Stimulus

摘要

DNA hydrogels which are composed of an entangled network without a crosslinker are synthesized and examined in regards to their sensitivity to salt and pH changes. The DNA hydrogel fibers only exhibited a marked response - that is a fast and large change in length - under biological conditions, (Na+=0.15 M at pH = 7) and are therefore suitable materials for bio-inspired devices.