Applications of DNA hybrids in biobased medicine and materials

In the scientific world, DNA means a lot more than genetic information carrier. Ingenious minds have unrevealed its structure information and hence exploited unique applications in all aspects. For example, DNA can be programmed into predesigned shapes and the folded structures have outstanding shape addressability and a dramatic potential to serve as platforms in biotechnological applications, such as targeting delivery. Additionally, the advance in automated synthesis of DNA has triggered tremendous progress in the chemical modification of DNA, like hydrophobic modification of DNA, which shows great promise in material science and bio-medicine. In this thesis, a few molecules were employed to modify DNA, chemically or physically, and the application of the obtained structures were discussed. In Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, DNA was chemically attached with lipid parts (termed lipid-DNA) and used as catalytic reaction platform and ocular drug delivery carrier, respectively. In Chapter 4, a molecular motor was incorporated in a DNA sequence and the photoswitching behavior of the hybrid was investigated. In Chapter 5, the hydrophobic modification was realized through electrostatic complex with a positively charged surfactant. It was found that the DNA-surfactant complex was in a gel state when immersed in organic solvents and possessed excellent mechanical properties. Nevertheless, hydrophobic modification of DNA yields either DNA amphiphiles or hydrophobic DNA hybrids, which presents some unique properties that pristine DNA does not have. A lot more possibilities are awaiting to be explored.