Nucleic acid-binding dyes (NuABDs) are fluorogenic probes that light up after binding to nucleic acids. Taking advantage of their fluorogenicity, NuABDs have been widely utilized in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology for diagnostic and analytical applications. We demonstrate the potential of NuABDs together with an appropriate nucleic acid scaffold as an intriguing photocatalyst for precisely controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Additionally, we systematically investigated the thermodynamic and electrochemical properties of the dyes, providing insights into the mechanism that drives the photopolymerization. The versatility of the NuABD-based platform was also demonstrated through successful polymerizations using several NuABDs in conjunction with diverse nucleic acid scaffolds, such as G-quadruplex DNA or DNA nanoflowers. This study not only extends the horizons of controlled photopolymerization but also broadens opportunities for nucleic acid-based materials and technologies, including nucleic acid–polymer biohybrids and stimuli-responsive ATRP platforms.

中文翻译：

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核酸结合染料作为原子转移自由基聚合的多功能光催化剂

核酸结合染料 ( NuABD ) 是与核酸结合后发光的荧光探针。利用其荧光性，NuABD已广泛应用于纳米技术和生物技术领域的诊断和分析应用。我们证明了NuABD与适当的核酸支架一起作为精确控制的原子转移自由基聚合（ATRP）的有趣光催化剂的潜力。此外，我们系统地研究了染料的热力学和电化学性质，深入了解驱动光聚合的机制。基于NuABD的平台的多功能性还通过使用几种NuABD与不同的核酸支架（例如 G-四链体 DNA 或 DNA 纳米花）的成功聚合得到了证明。这项研究不仅扩展了受控光聚合的视野，而且还拓宽了基于核酸的材料和技术的机会，包括核酸-聚合物生物杂化物和刺激响应 ATRP 平台。