Functionalized DNA nanostructures for templated biomineralization

用于模板生物矿化的功能化 DNA 纳米结构

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-06885
• 负责人: Carneiro, Karina
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=678694
• 关键词: Functionalized; DNA; nanostructures; templated; biomineralization

Mineralized tissues, such as teeth and bone, form through a multi-step mechanism guided by a complex mixture of proteins secreted by specialized cells. The exact mechanism through which the proteins template molecules to become highly organized and eventually transform into a mineralized tissue is challenging to decipher because of the ever changing composition of the protein solution. A deeper understanding of mineralized tissue formation is essential for the development of a biomaterial capable of inducing self-healing in tooth and bone. The hypothesis of this grant is that the precise placement of molecules known to induce in mineralization onto a surface will yield a material that could potentially be used as a patch for inducing and controlling mineral crystal growth. One way to develop such a surface and to organize materials with nanometer precision is to use synthetic DNA lattices; the field of DNA Nanotechnology has put forth a plethora of DNA nanostructures that have been used to precisely organize other molecules. The objectives of this grant are: 1) to couple synthetic DNA to molecules known to induce mineralization; 2) to incorporate these modified DNA strands into DNA lattices; and 3) to study which configuration and composition best induces the formation of crystals with similar properties as naturally occurring minerals. The long-term goal of this project is to re-generate damaged mineralized tissues by placing functionalized DNA patches that can induce natural tissue growth. A successful completion of these objectives will yield a deeper understanding of how biomineralization occurs. This knowledge is essential for the development of a material that could be used for natural tooth and bone regeneration. In addition, this project will provide training for highly qualified personnel in nanomedicine, a growing field in North America.

矿化组织，如牙齿和骨骼，通过多步骤机制形成，由专门细胞分泌的蛋白质的复杂混合物指导。蛋白质模板分子变得高度组织化并最终转化为矿化组织的确切机制具有挑战性，因为蛋白质溶液的组成不断变化。更深入地了解矿化组织的形成对于开发能够诱导牙齿和骨骼自我愈合的生物材料至关重要。这项资助的假设是，将已知诱导矿化的分子精确放置在表面上，将产生一种材料，这种材料可能用作诱导和控制矿物晶体生长的补丁。开发这种表面并以纳米精度组织材料的一种方法是使用合成DNA晶格; DNA纳米技术领域已经提出了大量的DNA纳米结构，这些纳米结构已用于精确组织其他分子。这项资助的目的是：1）将合成DNA与已知诱导矿化的分子偶联; 2）将这些修饰的DNA链纳入DNA晶格; 3）研究哪种构型和组成最能诱导形成具有与天然矿物相似性质的晶体。该项目的长期目标是通过放置功能化的DNA补丁来再生受损的矿化组织，这些DNA补丁可以诱导自然组织生长。这些目标的成功完成将使我们更深入地了解生物矿化是如何发生的。这些知识对于开发可用于天然牙齿和骨骼再生的材料至关重要。此外，该项目还将为纳米医学这一北美不断发展的领域的高素质人员提供培训。