DNA hydrogel by multicomponent assembly for encapsulation and killing of cells

In this work, a new multifunctional assembled hydrogel was prepared by incorporating gadolinium ions (Gd(3+)) with salmon-sperm DNA and polythiophene derivative (PT-COOH) through chelation interactions. Efficient energy transfer from PT-COOH to Gd(3+) ions takes place followed by sensitization of oxygen molecule to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light irradiation. Cancer cells can be encapsulated into the hydrogel in situ as the formation of hydrogel followed by killing by the ROS. Integration of imaging modality with therapeutic function within a single assembled hydrogel is therefore anticipated to be a new and challenging design element for new hydrogel materials.