DNA-Based Environmental Remediation: Functional Principles, Material Platforms, and Future Perspectives

With advancements in DNA nanotechnology, the role of DNA has expanded far beyond its traditional function as genetic material, and it is now increasingly utilized as a programmable material distinguished by specific molecular recognition and controllable self-assembly. As contemporary environmental pollutants become increasingly complex, conventional remediation technologies often face critical limitations due to their poor selectivity and low adaptability. Consequently, DNA nanotechnology presents a promising alternative for intelligent remediation. Specifically, functional nanostructures such as aptamers, DNAzymes, hydrogels, and hybrid nanocomposites serve as innovative platforms for the highly selective sequestration, degradation, and isolation of diverse contaminants. This review summarizes the fundamental properties of DNA relevant to environmental remediation, including molecular recognition and catalytic activity, while also exploring underutilized functions with potential for future remediation applications, such as enzyme-free amplification and stimulus-responsive structural transitions. We further discuss diverse DNA-based material platforms and systematically examine reported remediation strategies across major classes of environmental pollutants, with particular emphasis on aqueous systems, which currently represent the primary context of experimentally demonstrated DNA-based pollutant removal and degradation. Beyond these demonstrated strategies, we also explore emerging DNA-based concepts with potential for future remediation applications, particularly through the expansion of DNA functionalities, integration with advanced material platforms, and extension to new classes of target pollutants. Finally, we discuss the key challenges associated with practical environmental translation, providing an integrated perspective on both the current landscape and future development of DNA-based remediation technologies.