Stimuli-Responsive DNA Self-Assembly: From Principles to Applications

Stimuli-responsive DNA self-assembly shares the advantages of both designed stimuli-responsiveness and the molecular programmability of DNA structures, offering great opportunities for basic and applied research in dynamic DNA nanotechnology. In this minireview, we summarize the most recent progress in this rapidly developing field. The trigger mechanisms of the responsive DNA systems are first divided into six categories, which are then explained with illustrative examples following this classification. Subsequently, proof-of-concept applications in terms of biosensing, in vivo pH-mapping, drug delivery, and therapy are discussed. Finally, we provide some remarks on the challenges and opportunities of this highly promising research direction in DNA nanotechnology.