Controlled Trapping and Release of Quantum Dots in a DNA‐Switchable Hydrogel

Entrapment: Trapping and releasing (see figure) nanoparticles has never before been as easily controlled as with these novel DNA-crosslinked hydrogels. The diffusion properties of fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles in these DNA-switchable hydrogels is studied using single-quantum-dot tracking and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The diameter of the trapped nanoparticles can be much smaller than the mean pore size and therefore these switchable materials open new avenues for the controlled release of nanoscale agents.