Protein‐encoding Free‐standing RNA Hydrogel for Sub‐compartmentalized Translation

RNA can self-fold into complex structures that can serve as major biological regulators in protein synthesis and in catalysis. Due to the abundance of structural primitives and functional diversity, RNA has been utilized for designing Nature-defined goals despite its intrinsic chemical instability and lack of technologies. Here, a robust, free-standing RNA hydrogel was developed through a sequential process involving both ligation and rolling circle transcription to form RNA G-quadruplexes, capable of both catalytic activity and enhancing expression of several proteins in sub-compartmentalized, phase-separated translation environments. Our observations suggest that this hydrogel will expand RNA research and impact practical RNA principles and applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved