Core-shell microcapsules, manufacturing processes and uses

A composition, comprising a plurality of microcapsules each comprising a core surrounded by a shell, wherein:

• the shell is a hydrogel comprising a first polymer, wherein the first polymer comprises a polysaccharide modified with a conjugated cross-linking moiety, wherein the cross-linking moiety is selected from the group consisting of acryloyl, methacryloyl, and combinations thereof,
• and modified with a conjugated hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity-modifying moiety, and molecules of cross-linking moiety of the first polymer are cross-linked in the hydrogel;
• and
• the core comprises a second polymer comprising a polysaccharide that does not include the cross-linking moiety and does not include the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity-modifying moiety of the first polymer, wherein the shell of the microcapsules comprises pores and the microcapsules retain nucleic acid of a size of about 100 base pairs or greater.