Living cells move and change their shape because signaling chemical reactions modify the state of their cytoskeleton; an active gel that converts chemical energy into mechanical forces. To create life-like materials, it is thus key to engineer chemical pathways that drive active gels. Here, we describe the preparation of DNA-responsive surfaces that control the activity of a cytoskeletal active gel comprised of microtubules: a DNA signal triggers the release of molecular motors from the surface into the gel bulk, generating forces that structure the gel. Depending on the DNA sequence and concentration, the gel forms a periodic band pattern or contracts globally. Finally, we show that the structuration of the active gel can be spatially controlled in the presence of a gradient of DNA concentration. We anticipate that such DNA-controlled active matter will contribute to the development of life-like materials with self-shaping properties.

中文翻译：

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细胞骨架活性凝胶的 DNA 控制时空模式

活细胞移动并改变它们的形状，因为信号化学反应会改变它们的细胞骨架状态；一种将化学能转化为机械力的活性凝胶。因此，为了创造栩栩如生的材料，设计驱动活性凝胶的化学途径是关键。在这里，我们描述了控制由微管组成的细胞骨架活性凝胶的活性的 DNA 响应表面的制备：DNA 信号触发分子马达从表面释放到凝胶体中，产生构造凝胶的力。根据 DNA 序列和浓度，凝胶形成周期性条带模式或全局收缩。最后，我们表明活性凝胶的结构可以在存在 DNA 浓度梯度的情况下进行空间控制。