Development of carbon nanotubes for non-viral gene transfer

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Gene transfection, the introduction of nucleic acids into cells, enables genes to be delivered into the nucleus of the target cell. Currently, the efficacy of gene transfer reagents is highly variable and also dependents on the target cell type. Due to the innate ability of certain viruses to deliver their viral genomes into the cell they infect, viral particles encapsulating an exogenous gene have been developed for gene transfection. Virus-mediated gene transfection, however, depends greatly on cell type and also has the problem of pathogenicity and oncogenicity. One of the major limitations of current non-viral gene transfer procedures is the inability to transport the gene into the nucleus of the target cell. We have recently discovered a new nuclear entry mechanism used by baculoviruses, and we propose to graft proteins from this virus to carbon nanotubes; these proteins can then direct the nanotube to the nucleus of cells. These nanotubes will also be conjugated with DNA and used for gene transfer to the nucleus of tissue-cultured cells. This novel non-viral gene transfer methodology will have the advantage of working with any cell system. As a leader in developing reagents for life science research, STEMCELL Technology is interested in developing high efficiency transfection reagents that target a broad range of cell types and can be used extensively in biomedical research. This collaboration with STEMCELL offers a great opportunity to develop carbon nanotubes for non-viral gene transfer. In addition to the development of a new gene transfection technology for life science research, this project will have a significant impact on efforts to develop efficient and successful non-viral gene therapies.