Research advancement of DNA-based intelligent hydrogels: manufacture, characteristics, application of disease diagnosis and treatment

DNA-based hydrogels are exceptional materials for biological applications because of their numerous advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, super absorbency, porosity, and swelling. Among these advantages, the ability of DNA-based hydrogels to respond to specific physical and chemical triggers and undergo reversible phase transitions has garnered significant attention in the fields of disease diagnosis (biosensors) and treatment (drug delivery). This article focuses on the recent advancements in the research of DNA-based hydrogels and discusses the different types of these hydrogels, the synthetic methods, their unique properties, and their applications in biosensors and drug delivery. The types of DNA hydrogels are categorized based on their building blocks, and the process of synthesis as well as the unique characteristics of DNA-based hydrogels are described. Then, DNA-based responsive hydrogels utilized as intelligent materials for the development of biosensors are reviewed. Furthermore, this article also presents the current status of DNA-based responsive hydrogels in drug delivery for cancer treatment, wound healing, and other therapeutic applications. Ultimately, this paper discusses the current challenges in expanding the practical application of DNA-based hydrogels.