Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a promising synthesizer for precisely constructing almost arbitrary geometry in two and three dimensions. Among various DNA-based soft materials, DNA hydrogels are comprised of hydrophilic polymeric networks of crosslinked DNA chains. For their properties of biocompatibility, porosity, sequence programmability and tunable multifunctionality, DNA hydrogels have been widely studied in bioanalysis and biomedicine. In this review, recent developments in DNA hydrogels and their applications in drug delivery systems are highlighted. First, physical and chemical crosslinking methods for constructing DNA hydrogels are introduced. Subsequently, responses of DNA hydrogels to nonbiological and biological stimuli are described. Finally, DNA hydrogel-based delivery platforms for different types of drugs are detailed. With the emergence of gene therapy, this review also gives future prospects for combining DNA hydrogels with the gene editing toolbox.

脱氧核糖核酸 (DNA) 是一种很有前途的合成器，可用于在二维和三维空间中精确构建几乎任意几何形状。在各种基于 DNA 的软材料中，DNA 水凝胶由交联 DNA 链的亲水聚合物网络组成。由于其生物相容性、孔隙率、序列可编程性和可调多功能性等特性，DNA 水凝胶在生物分析和生物医学中得到了广泛的研究。在这篇综述中，重点介绍了 DNA 水凝胶的最新进展及其在药物输送系统中的应用。首先介绍了构建DNA水凝胶的物理和化学交联方法。随后，描述了 DNA 水凝胶对非生物和生物刺激的反应。最后，详细介绍了用于不同类型药物的基于 DNA 水凝胶的递送平台。