Controlling the Reversible Assembly of Liposomes through a Multistimuli Responsive Anchored DNA

[Image: see text] We present a novel approach to reversibly control the assembly of liposomes through an anchored multistimuli responsive DNA oligonucleotide decorated with an azobenzene moiety (AZO-ON(1)). We show that liposomes assembly can be simultaneously controlled by three external stimuli: light, Mg(2+), and temperature. (i) Light alters the interaction of AZO-ON(1) with liposomes, which influences DNA coating and consequently liposomes assembly. (ii) Mg(2+) induces the assembly, hence variation in its concentration enables for reversibility. (iii) Double-stranded AZO-ON(1) is more efficient than single-stranded AZO-ON(1) in triggering the assembly of liposomes and temperature has been used for controllable assembly through DNA thermal denaturation. Our multiresponsive AZO-ON(1) represents a unique example in which multiple stimuli can be simultaneously applied to regulate the reversible assembly of liposomes.