DNA Aptamer Incorporated PEG Hydrogels for DDS Aplications
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Hydrogels are water-swollen polymer networks that have found applications ranging from drug delivery systems (DDS) to regenerative medicine. Historically, their design has predominantly consisted of static systems and those undergoing simple degradation. However, advances in polymer synthesis and processing have led to a new generation of dynamic systems capable of responding to artificial triggers and biological signals with spatial precision. These advancements will open new possibilities for hydrogels as efficient DDS models. In this study, we synthesized DNA aptamer Incorporated polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels. The hydrogels exhibited volume changes in response to the concentration of potassium ions (K+) that selectively bind to the aptamers. The hydrogels were observed to shrink up to 50% of their original volume, depending on the amount of aptamers attached to PEG and the concentration of K+ ions. This selective volume shrinkage of hydrogels is anticipated to be highly useful in future drug delivery systems.