Photoresponsive self-healing supramolecular hydrogels for light-induced release of DNA and doxorubicin.

An azobenzene-containing cyclic dipeptide PAP-DKP-Lys is a photoresponsive low-MW hydrogelator. The gelation process can be triggered with temperature, pH, light, and ionic strength. The resulting self-healing gels can encapsulate dsDNA or an anticancer drug doxorubicin, and release them in a light-dependent manner.