DNA hydrogels are an innovative strategy in regenerative medicine. They can enhance bone regeneration by promoting osteoblast activity and recruiting biomaterials. ADNA hydrogel is a network of crosslinked DNA suspended in water, forming a matrix. They are typically made with custom DNA sequences, which are costly and require multiple steps. In addition, these hydrogels would benefit from a mechanism able to tune their degradation inside the body. Our research focuses on using protamine, a positively charged DNA-binding protein, to design a simple, inexpensive DNA hydrogel that is more resistant to degradation. We created our gel by combining DNA with 100 μM. Its rheological properties confirm that it is a gel with a stiffness that can range from 0.1–100 Pa, depending on its state. AFM images indicate that the DNA hydrogel has a pore size on the order of 0.1–1 μm. In addition, liquid-liquid phase separation can be observed in our gel a few minutes after combination. Our goal for the future is to be able to increase the gel stiffness to 1000 Pa to match traditional DNA hydrogels, and thereby enhance their suitability for bone regeneration applications.
Hayes-Mendez et al. (2026) studied this question.