Accurate quantification of DNA content in DNA hydrogels prepared by rolling circle amplification

Accurate quantification of polymerized DNA in rolling circle amplification (RCA)-based hydrogels is challenging due to the high viscosity of these materials, however, it can be achieved with a photometric nucleotide depletion assay or qPCR. We show that the DNA content strongly depends on the template sequence and correlates with the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Accurate quantification of amplified DNA in RCA-based hydrogels is achieved by a photometric nucleotide depletion assay or qPCR. The DNA content strongly depends on the template sequence and correlates with the mechanical properties of the hydrogels.