The spherical structure of the SNAs is the ideal architecture for
delivering nucleic acids into cells for gene regulation, Mirkin said.
In a trial described in Nature Materials, the team showed they could
deliver the nucleic acids DNA and siRNA into human cells in the lab, using the nanoneedles.
They can penetrate the cell, bypassing its outer membrane, to
deliver nucleic acids without harming or killing the cell.
Genetic therapies, such as those made from DNA or RNA, face challenges because of the difficulty in
delivering the nucleic acid to the right cells.
More importantly, it can
deliver nucleic acids more effectively.
Not exact matches
The miR - 182 was safely
delivered to the tumors using spherical
nucleic acids, DNA and RNA arranged around a gold nanoparticle center.
However, in the past decade scientists realized that exosomes play important roles in many biological functions through capsuling and
delivering molecular messages in the form of
nucleic acids and proteins from the donor cells to affect the functions of nearby or distant cells.
They can also
deliver precise doses of drugs,
nucleic acids, or proteins to targeted points on the cell.
Anderson and Langer have previously developed nanoparticles, now in clinical development, that can
deliver siRNA to liver cells called hepatocytes by coating the
nucleic acids in fatty materials called lipidoids.
Scientists are also breaking ground with
nucleic acid platforms that have the potential to
deliver cancer vaccines, for neoantigens and other targets.
«These proteins have a unique ability to
deliver proteins and
nucleic acids inside the cell,» says Liu.