Rigidity-dependent formation process of DNA supramolecular hydrogels

Abstract A DNA building block with tunable rigidity was constructed, and the corresponding hydrogel formation process investigated accordingly. high demonstrated to facilitate fast gelation. Different gelation pathways of rigid flexible blocks were revealed, a cyclized dimer intermediate proposed. The energy barrier ring-opening also shown play fundamental role in determining kinetics. Furthermore, molecular network tuned situ through strand displacement, which supports kinetic control mechanism hydrogels.