Programmable Assembly of Amphiphilic DNA through Controlled Cholesterol Stacking.

The excellent programmability and modifiability of DNA has enabled chemists to reproduce a series of specific molecular interactions in self-assembled synthetic systems. Among diverse modifications, cholesterol conjugation can turn DNA into an amphiphilic molecule (cholesterol-DNA), driving the formation of DNA assemblies through the cholesterol-endowed hydrophobic interaction. However, precise control of such an assembly process remains difficult because of the unbiased accumulation of cholesterol. Here, we report the serendipitous discovery of the favored tetramerization of cholesterol in cholesterol-DNA copolymers that carry the cholesterol modification at the blunt end of DNA. The discovery expands the repertoire of controllable molecular interactions by DNA and provides an effective way to precisely control the hydrophobic stacking of cholesterol for programmed cholesterol-DNA assembly.

Preparation and properties of a novel thermo-sensitive hydrogel based on chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/glycerol.

Chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogels are known as injectable in situ gelling thermosensitive polymer solutions which are suitable for biomaterials. In this study, a novel thermosensitive hydrogel gelling under physiological conditions was prepared using chitosan together with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and glycerol. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is to facilitate the thermogelation through large amounts of hydrophobic interactions. Glycerol in heavy concentration destroys the polymer water sheaths promoting the formation of the hydrophobic regions, and lowering the phase transition temperature. The thermosensitive hydrogels showed a physiological pH ranging from 6.8 to 6.9 and gelation time within 15min at 37°C. The prepared hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and rheological studies, mechanical studies and contact angle studies. The properties of degradability, cytotoxicity and protein release behaviors of the hydrogels were investigated. The results indicate this thermosensitive hydrogel possess good fluidity, thermosensitivity and biodegradability, as well as low-cytotoxicity and controlled release, showing the potential use in biomedical applications.