New DNA
Na**-Cocoon Drug Delivery System
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…
