Volume 43, Issue 12 pp. 1442-1462
Critical Review

Biomimetic and Biological Applications of DNA Coacervates

Yuqi Zeng

Yuqi Zeng

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

These authors contributed equally.

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Long Zhao

Long Zhao

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

These authors contributed equally.

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Yihao Liu

Yihao Liu

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

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Tianhuan Peng

Corresponding Author

Tianhuan Peng

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Yifan Lyu

Corresponding Author

Yifan Lyu

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

Furong Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Quan Yuan

Corresponding Author

Quan Yuan

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
First published: 19 April 2025

Abstract

Comprehensive Summary

Recent progress in nanotechnology and synthetic biology has demonstrated the potential of DNA coacervates for biomimetic and biological applications. DNA coacervates are micron-scale, membrane-free, spherical structures formed by liquid-liquid phase separation of DNA materials. They uniquely combine the programmability of DNA with the fluidic properties of coacervates, allowing for controlled modulation of their structures, biomimetic and biological functions, and dynamic behaviors through rational sequence design. This review summarizes methods for the formation of different DNA coacervates and explores their extensive applications in biomimicry, biosensing and therapeutics. Limitations and prospects of DNA coacervates are also discussed.

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Key Scientists

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