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With inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique programmability, hydrogels with a DNA framework show great potential in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. Here, a DNA hydrogel was assembled by a dendritic DNA with four branches. The hydrogel showed tunable mechanical strength and reversible thixotropy even under a nanomolar DNA concentration. The cell culture medium can be converted into the hydrogel isothermally at physiological temperature. This DNA hydrogel allows both cancer and somatic cells to be seeded in situ and to achieve high proliferation and viability. The bis-entity of dendritic branches enabled the specific loading of bioactive clues to regulate cell behaviors. Thus, the dendritic DNA-assembled hydrogel could serve as a highly biocompatible, readily functionalizing, and easy-casting gel platform for 3D cell culture. This work is supported by the Zhejiang University (start-up grant) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21975217) to F.S.

3D printing (additive manufacturing) is currently an emerging technology that could revolutionize the traditional manufacturing process. The application of 3D printing technology has been examined in many different fields including manufacturing, science, medicine, and electronics. Another application of 3D printing technology which holds promising potential is fabrication of electrochemical sensors and transducers. Electroanalytical devices hold advantages such as low cost, portability, ease of use, and rapid analysis. Here we examined the feasibility of utilizing 3D-printed metal electrodes for the electrochemical detection of the pain reliever acetaminophen (AC) also known as paracetamol and the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in aqueous solutions. 3D-printed stainless steel helical-shaped electrodes were tested before and after surface modification by electro-plating with a thin gold film (3D gold). Accepted version