To challenge this hypothesis we designed a range of structurally and chemically distinct C-star sub-units which share the same 4-arm topology. The investigated design variations are presented schematically in Fig. , and include: (i) a range of C-stars with different arm length designed to program the lattice parameter of the frameworks; (ii) a C-star modified with a chemical group to specifically capture and reversibly release target proteins; (iii) a C-star modified with a responsive DNA strand-displacement motif which can be triggered to induce isothermal dissolution of the frameworks.