Supramolecular G-quadruplex hydrogels: Bridging fabrication to biomedical application

G-quadruplex hydrogel is a class of self-assembled supramolecular hydrogel formed by guanine derivatives. As a biomimetic hydrogel, G-quadruplex hydrogels demonstrate wide biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing. The advantages of using G-quadruplex hydrogels include adequate biocompatibility and biodegradability, tunable multifunctionality, and cost-effective and large-scalable fabrication process. In this review, we focus on recent progress in the fabrication and characterization of G-quadruplex hydrogels to help readers understand the principles of G-quadruplex hydrogel formation. Meanwhile, the applications of G-quadruplex hydrogels in the biomedical area are discussed, aiming to pave the way for downward clinical or industry translation. The development of G-quadruplex hydrogel is still in its infancy. We hope this review will boost the development of this area and that more applications of G-quadruplex hydrogel will be developed.