Modular Design of Programmable Mechanofluorescent DNA Hydrogels

Author(s)

Merindol, Remi ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]} ; Delechiave, Giovanne ^[5] ; Heinen, Laura ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Catalani, Luiz Henrique ^[5] ; Walther, Andreas ^{[1, 2, 3, 6]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Freiburg, Inst Macromol Chem, Stefan Meier Str 31, D-79104 Freiburg - Germany

^[2] Univ Freiburg, Freiburg Mat Res Ctr, Stefan Meier Str 21, D-79104 Freiburg - Germany

^[3] Univ Freiburg, Freiburg Ctr Interact Mat & Bioinspired Technol, Georges Kohler Allee 105, D-79110 Freiburg - Germany

^[4] Univ Bordeaux, Ctr Rech Paul Pascal, 115 Ave Dr Albert Schweitzer, F-33600 Pessac - France

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Chem, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Freiburg, Freiburg Inst Adv Studies FRIAS, Albertstr 19, D-79104 Freiburg - Germany

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 10, JAN 31 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Mechanosensing systems are ubiquitous in nature and control many functions from cell spreading to wound healing. Biologic systems typically rely on supramolecular transformations and secondary reporter systems to sense weak forces. By contrast, synthetic mechanosensitive materials often use covalent transformations of chromophores, serving both as force sensor and reporter, which hinders orthogonal engineering of their sensitivity, response and modularity. Here, we introduce FRET-based, rationally tunable DNA tension probes into macroscopic 3D all-DNA hydrogels to prepare mechanofluorescent materials with programmable sacrificial bonds and stress relaxation. This design addresses current limitations of mechanochromic system by offering spatiotemporal resolution, as well as quantitative and modular force sensing in soft hydrogels. The programmable force probe design further grants temporal control over the recovery of the mechanofluorescence during stress relaxation, enabling reversible and irreversible strain sensing. We show proof-of-concept applications to study strain fields in composites and to visualize freezing-induced strain patterns in homogeneous hydrogels. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/21442-6 - Synthetic and natural polymers applied to tissue engineering
• Grantee: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/22778-1 - Mechanoresponsive DNA hydrogels via rolling circle amplification and Layer-by-Layer assembly
• Grantee: Giovanne Delechiave
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation