近日，美国麻省理工学院James J. Collins及其研究小组开发出可编程的CRISPR响应智能材料。该研究于2019年8月23日发表于国际一流学术期刊《科学》杂志上。

研究人员利用CRISPR相关核酸酶的可编程性来驱动含有DNA的水凝胶作为结构元素或侧基的锚定物。通过向导RNA定义的输入激活后，Cas12a切割凝胶中的DNA，从而将生物信息转换为材料特性的变化。研究人员报告了四种应用：（i）释放DNA锚定化合物的支化聚（乙二醇）水凝胶，（ii）包封纳米颗粒和活细胞的可降解聚丙烯酰胺-DNA水凝胶，（iii）用作可降解电熔丝的导电碳黑-DNA水凝胶 和（iv）聚丙烯酰胺-DNA水凝胶作为流体阀操作，并具有用于远程信号传输的电读数。这些材料可在组织工程、生物电子和诊断中的一系列体外应用。

据悉，由生物信号激活的刺激响应材料在生物技术应用中起着越来越重要的作用。

附：英文原文

Title: Programmable CRISPR-responsive smart materials

Author: Max A. English, Luis R. Soenksen, Raphael V. Gayet, Helena de Puig, Nicolaas M. Angenent-Mari, Angelo S. Mao, Peter Q. Nguyen, James J. Collins

Issue&Volume: Volume 365 Issue 6455

Abstract: Stimuli-responsive materials activated by biological signals play an increasingly important role in biotechnology applications. We exploit the programmability of CRISPR-associated nucleases to actuate hydrogels containing DNA as a structural element or as an anchor for pendant groups. After activation by guide RNA–defined inputs, Cas12a cleaves DNA in the gels, thereby converting biological information into changes in material properties. We report four applications: (i) branched poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels releasing DNA-anchored compounds, (ii) degradable polyacrylamide-DNA hydrogels encapsulating nanoparticles and live cells, (iii) conductive carbon-black–DNA hydrogels acting as degradable electrical fuses, and (iv) a polyacrylamide-DNA hydrogel operating as a fluidic valve with an electrical readout for remote signaling. These materials allow for a range of in vitro applications in tissue engineering, bioelectronics, and diagnostics.

DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw5122

Source:https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6455/780