Figure 2.

(a) Preparation of DNA quadruplex gel beads and string (see Supporting Movie S2). A conjugate solution (10 wt %) containing RB (23 μm) was added to 1 m K⁺ solution dropwise to form gel beads. Hydrogel string was also formed by injection of the conjugate solution. (b) Enzymatic digestion assay using hydrogel beads. Fluorescent DNA quadruplex gel beads were prepared with 10 μl conjugate solution, and immersed in PBS(−) with or without PDE II. After 3 days at 37 °C, only the hydrogel bead in the presence of the enzyme completely disappeared and the fluorescent polystyrene beads were released into the buffer.