New DNA Na**-Cocoon Drug Delivery System
 

New DNA Na**-Cocoon Drug Delivery System
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A new method in biona**tech has recently been developed to deliver anti-cancer *****. Researchers at **rth Carolina State University and the University of **rth Carolina have created a bio-inspired “na**-cocoon” made solely of DNA. This specially designed system is **t only effective in delivering *****, but it is also completely bio-compatible.

Similar to what Dr. Paul Rothemund originally discovered in DNA origami, this DNA na**-cocoon is completely self-assembled. Each capsule is only made of one strand of DNA that then rolls up and folds into a ball-like shape through various DNA folding techniques. The ball that is formed measures around 150 na**meters across. Within the capsule, the scientists placed the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) as well as a protein called DNase. The DNase is also protected by a thin polymer so that the enzyme will **t cut up the DNA that makes up the capsule. Furthermore, the na**-cocoon has multiple folic acid ligands spread throughout its surface. The ligands are used to bind to receptors on the surface of a cancer cell so that the cell will automatically suck in the DNA na**-cocoon. Ultimately, the acidic environment within the cancer cell causes the polymer to break down and release the DNase. This causes the na**-cocoon to then break apart leading to a massive dose of the drug DOX.

**rth Carolina State News: Bio-Inspired ‘Na**-Cocoons’ Offer Targeted Drug Delivery Against Cancer Cells…

Study in*Journal of the American Chemical Society: Cocoon-Like Self-Degradable DNA Na**clew…

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