DNA-functionalized thermoresponsive bioconjugates synthesized via ATRP and click chemistry

Diblock and miktoarm star-shaped thermoresponsive copolymers composed of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were successfully synthesized with combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click chemistry. This approach should be generalizable to other DNA-functionalized copolymers. Such copolymers self-assemble into spherical micelles with ssDNA corona in aqueous solution above the lower critical solution temperature. The micellar size can be tuned from the macromolecular architecture. These DNA-encoded micellar particles are able to encapsulate and release hydrophobic guest molecules upon changing temperature.