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Page 20 of 25 Zhong et al. Chem Synth 2023;3:27 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/cs.2023.15

The next challenge is how to use the nucleic acid-based dynamic network as the regulatory tool for
downstream functional systems, such as nanomachines, nanomaterials, and protocells. Nucleic acid-based
dynamic networks in a test tube rely on a dilute solution in which the network components are dispersed
throughout the solution. These are not conducive to the functionalization of the network. We need to start
developing nucleic acid-based dynamic networks that operate in semi-solvent or solvent-free bulk for
materials sciences, such as hydrogels, and integrate networks into confined environments, such as DNA
frameworks, DNA origami, synthetic condensates, for sophisticated nanomachines, switches, and motors.
In addition, nucleic acid-based dynamic networks are more valuable tools for manipulating and controlling
biological information than traditional approaches in a protocellular environment. Nucleic acid-based
dynamic networks, in particular, have successfully transitioned from a test tube to a cell-like environment.
But complex temporal control and various nonlinear regulatory networks in living cells are still missing in
artificial systems. We anticipate that further integration of artificial complex spatiotemporal networks,
systems chemistry, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology will be of great relevance to laying the foundation
for the de novo construction of artificial cells with living features.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Prepared and revised the manuscript: Yue L, Zhong R, Yi L, Wang X, Shu W
Revised the manuscript: Yue L
Designed and revised the manuscript: Yue L
All authors contributed to the discussion and preparation of the manuscript.

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Project (2021YFA0909400) and
the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 22101080).

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023.

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