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* Remote-controlled gene delivery - Nature Materials
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[3] Remote-controlled gene delivery
DOI: 10.1038/nmat1524
The site and moment when a gene carrier will release its cargo and
endow the cells of a specific tissue with the correspondent protein, can be
controlled simply with a low-power laser, thanks to the shrewd architecture
of the synthetic gene-delivery system presented in the December issue of
Nature Materials. This system has great implications for the development of
targeted gene therapy based on non-viral systems, according to Kazunori
Kataoka and co-authors.
The complex consists of a DNA carrier, capable of driving the
external genes towards the nucleus of cells, and a dendrimer that acts as a
light sensitizer, both combined into one structure. On light irradiation,
the dendrimer will be activated and will break open the intracellular
compartment in which the DNA carrier is kept, enabling it to make its way to
the nucleus. Thus, by selecting the irradiation spot it will be possible to
target the tissues in need of treatment. For example, the authors showed,
with an animal experiment, that this system could be suitable for gene
therapy of ophthalmic diseases.
Author contact:
Kazunori Kataoka (University of Tokyo, Japan)
Tel: +81 3 5841 7138, E-mail: [email protected]
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