The potential for DNA-based nanotechnology is immense, and in medicine it can have a revolutionary impact. Yet, getting DNA nanodevices to escape the scrutiny of the immune system is a challenge for practical application of the technology in clinical practice. Researchers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute developed a nanoparticle that mimics a virus, which the immune system ignores, while carrying a DNA payload inside.
They essentially replicated the external casing that a real virus uses to protect its own genome. They put a layer of phospholipid around their DNA nanodevices, which were initially folded into octahedrons. The phospholipids were attached to the DNA by adding spots to the genetic material where the lipids could grab on. This then created a foundation for forming a complete bilayer membrane around the DNA payload, which resulted in particles that successfully evade the immune system.
Here are the Wyss researchers describing their work:
Wyss Institute: Cloaked DNA nanodevices survive pilot mission…