Preparation and functionalization of environment-responsive hydrogels based on natural DNA

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K14492
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 26030:Composite materials and interfaces-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: Fukatsu Arisa 大阪公立大学, 大学院工学研究科, 助教 (90906950)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: DNA / ハイドロゲル / 応答性材料 / ソフトアクチュエータ / 環境調和型材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA, one of the biopolymers, is composed of phosphoric acid, deoxyribose, and four types of bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) and is known to interact specifically with various metal ions through coordination bonds. In this study, hydrogels were prepared by mixing DNA, which can be obtained in large quantities as biomass, with various metal salts. Furthermore, it is found that the hydrogels exhibit different properties such as toughness, self-healing, and environmental responsiveness depending on the metal species constituting the hydrogel.

Free Research Field

材料化学、錯体化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、各種金属イオンとDNAとの特異的な相互作用を利用することで、多彩な機能を有するハイドロゲルを作製した。今後、これらの組成やゲル化プロセスを制御することで、バイオマスから抽出可能な生体高分子を利用した新規機能性材料群の創出が期待される。これらの材料群は持続可能な材料開発へ貢献するとともに、生体親和性の高いソフトロボットやセンサー、ドラッグデリバリーシステム等への応用も期待される。