Techniques to transfer specific genes into target cells such as cancer cells (transfection) is a key methodology employed in the research and development of cutting-edge medical technology. Successful transfection requires a delivery system able to efficiently introduce a gene into a target cell. To date, virus vectors and lipid or polymer-based reagents were widely used in gene transfection into cultured cells, and their utility for localized administration has also been demonstrated. On the other hand, while gene therapy, including application to cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, requires a delivery system that can achieve selective in vivo transfection into a target tissue or cells in the body, it has been difficult to accomplish such selective transfection using virus vectors and reagents. In addition, there remain concerns over the safety of virus vectors and reagents. In this research, Professor Kazunori Kataoka’s group in the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering Department of Materials Engineering has developed a light-responsive nanomachine by integrating multiple functions into a three-layered polymeric micelle, which acts as a novel gene delivery system that greatly surpasses conventional delivery systems and provides selective and highly efficient transfection. By administering this nanomachine systemically to mice with subcutaneous tumors and then
The post Light-selective gene transfer using a nanomachine has been published on Technology Org.
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