Monolithic DNApatite: An Elastic Apatite with Sub-Nanometer Scale Organo-Inorganic Structures

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 36; no. 41; p. e2406179
• Main Authors: Lee, Jin Woong, Lee, Byoungsang, Park, Cheol Hyun, Heo, Jun Hyuk, Lee, Tae Yoon, Lee, Dongtak, Bae, Jina, Sundharbaabu, Priyannth Ramasami, Yeom, Won Kyun, Chae, Sudong, Lim, Jae-Hyuk, Lee, Seok-Won, Choi, Jin-Seok, Bae, Hyung-Bin, Choi, Jae-Young, Lee, Eun-Ho, Yoon, Dae Sung, Yeom, Geun Young, Shin, Hyunjung, Lee, Jung Heon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Apatite; Biocompatibility; Chemical synthesis; Crystallization; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Hydroxyapatite; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Nanorods; Polymer matrix composites; organo–inorganic structure; DNApatite; bone mimicking structure; DNA; sub‐nanometer nacre mimetic architecture; elastic apatite
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202406179

Hydroxyapatite (HA) exhibits outstanding biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and natural anti-inflammatory properties. Pure HA, ion-doped HA, and HA-polymer composites are investigated, but critical limitations such as brittleness remain; numerous efforts are being made to address them. Herein, the novel self-crystallization of a polymeric single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) without additional phosphate ions for synthesizing deoxyribonucleic apatite (DNApatite) is presented. The synthesized DNApatite, DNA Ca (PO ) OH , has a repetitive dual phase of inorganic HA crystals and amorphous organic ssDNA at the sub-nm scale, forming nanorods. Its mechanical properties, including toughness and elasticity, are significantly enhanced compared with those of HA nanorod, with a Young's modulus similar to that of natural bone.