Nucleic Acid-Binding Dyes as Versatile Photocatalysts for Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization

Nucleic acid-binding dyes (NuABDs) are fluorogenic probes that light up after binding to nucleic acids. Taking advantage of their fluorogenicity, NuABDs have been widely utilized in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology for diagnostic and analytical applications. We demonstrate the potential of NuABDs together with an appropriate nucleic acid scaffold as an intriguing photocatalyst for precisely controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Additionally, we systematically investigated the thermodynamic and electrochemical properties of the dyes, providing insights into the mechanism that drives the photopolymerization. The versatility of the NuABD-based platform was also demonstrated through successful polymerizations using several NuABDs in conjunction with diverse nucleic acid scaffolds, such as G-quadruplex DNA or DNA nanoflowers. This study not only extends the horizons of controlled photopolymerization but also broadens opportunities for nucleic acid-based materials and technologies, including nucleic acid–polymer biohybrids and stimuli-responsive ATRP platforms.