(167b) DNA-Based Nanostructures As Versatile Delivery Vehicles

The ability of DNA to form predictable nanostructures through sequence-directed hybridization has allowed the design of complex supramolecular materials.  Our discovery of the nuclease resistance of DNA nanostructures led us to explore their potential as delivery vehicles; a potential "third way" alternative to the fields of viral and non-viral delivery.   To this end we successfully demonstrated the ability of DNA nanostructures to deliver functional antisense cargo in vitro.  We have also demonstrated the use of non-canonical Watson-Crick base pairing to achieve controlled release from DNA nanostructures through sensitivity to solution conditions (i.e., pH). More recently, we have incorporated aptamer sequences into DNA nanostructures to achieve both targeting and uptake without the need for transfection reagents.  Thus DNA-based nanostructures form the basis for a versatile platform with great potential as an alternative approach to molecular delivery.