Programmable DNA hydrogels for advanced cell cultures and personalised medicine

The highly specific and predictable binding of the DNA gives the materials unrivalled control over important mechanical properties. The results, published on 7 August in Nature Nanotechnology, are highly relevant for in vitro cell culture materials for biological research.

The in vitro culture of biological cells is of great importance for biological research. However, the cell culture materials currently available have considerable disadvantages. Many of them originate from animal sources, are difficult to reproduce and their mechanical properties are difficult to determine. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new approaches to produce soft and biocompatible materials with predictable properties.

The team led by Dr Elisha Krieg at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden has developed a dynamic DNA-crosslinked matrix (DyNAtrix) by combining classical synthetic polymers with programmable DNA crosslinkers. The highly specific and predictable binding of DNA gives the materials unrivalled control over key mechanical properties. In their paper published in Nature Nanotechnology on 7 August, they report that DyNAtrix provides systematic control over its viscoelastic, thermodynamic and kinetic properties by modifying the DNA sequence information. The predictable stability of DNA cross-links enables controlled adjustment of stress-relaxation properties that mimic the properties of living tissue. DyNAtrix is self-healing and suitable for 3D printing. It is also characterised by high stability and can be degraded in a controlled manner with the help of enzymes. Cell cultures with human mesenchymal stromal cells, pluripotent stem cells, canine kidney cysts and human trophoblast organoids demonstrate the high biocompatibility of the material.

The programmable properties of DyNAtrix suggest a promising potential for new applications in tissue culture. Ongoing studies are focussing on the effects of the viscoelastic properties on the development of cells and organoids. In the future, DyNAtrix can be used in basic research and personalised medicine, for example to reproduce and study patient-derived tissue models in the laboratory.

Source: Leibnitz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden from 08/08/2023