Nucleic Acid Nanomaterial-Mediated Single-Cell Encapsulation and Its Application

Single-cell encapsulation, by constructing cell-scale microenvironments, enables precise protection, regulation, and functional enhancement of individual cells, holding significant importance in biomedical fields such as bioanalysis and cell therapy. Although various materials—including polymers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, polyphenols, and inorganic minerals—have been explored for single-cell encapsulation, limitations in controllability, biocompatibility, and multifunctional integration remain. In contrast, DNA nanomaterials offer unique advantages, including programmable architecture, high biocompatibility, precise spatial control, and modular functionality, making them highly suitable for the development of intelligent single-cell encapsulation systems. In this review, a systematic summary of recent advances in DNA nanomaterial-based single-cell encapsulation is presented. The fundamental encoding and assembly principles underlying the engineered encapsulation of cells at the membrane interface using DNA nanostructures are elucidated. Subsequently, the distinctive merits of DNA-based cell encapsulation and its applications in biomedical research are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the prevailing challenges and future directions in this burgeoning field are critically discussed, aiming to provide novel insights and perspectives for the advancement of advanced functional materials in both academic and clinical research pertaining to single-cell encapsulation.