Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:04
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
Published on: November 11, 2022
An Injectable, Self-Healing Hydrogel Based on G-Quadruplexes/Phenylboronic Acid Composites with Antibacterial
1School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 27, 2026
Summary
This study presents an injectable, self-healing hydrogel using G-quadruplex and boronate ester chemistry. The novel material demonstrates mechanical adaptability, cytocompatibility, and potent antibacterial activity, paving the way for advanced biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Injectable and self-healing hydrogels are crucial for biomedical applications.
- Integrating mechanical adaptability, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial properties is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer an injectable, self-healing hydrogel with enhanced biomedical functionalities.
- To develop a hydrogel matrix combining G-quadruplex self-assembly and boronate ester cross-linking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized guanosine-derived G-quadruplex supramolecular self-assembly and 3-aminophenylboronic acid (3-APBA) for dynamic cross-linking.
- Optimized formulation through systematic evaluation of key components.
- Characterized hydrogel structure (SEM), G-quadruplex formation (Thioflavin T, CD spectroscopy), rheological properties, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial activity.
Main Results:
- The optimized hydrogel exhibited a porous network structure, verified G-quadruplex assemblies, and demonstrated excellent injectability and self-healing properties via rheological assessments.
- In vitro studies confirmed favorable cellular compatibility.
- The hydrogel displayed significant antibacterial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Escherichia coli*.
Conclusions:
- The developed G-quadruplex hydrogel integrates a porous architecture, dynamic reversibility, and robust biological functionality.
- This injectable, self-healing hydrogel shows significant promise for antibacterial biomedical applications.
