New DNA Nanostructures Could Improve Drug Delivery and Diagnostics

 A recent study by the RNA Institute of the University of Albany discusses a new method for assembling DNA nanostructures that could be a game-changer in biomedicine. Typically, these structures required extreme heat and controlled cooling, limiting their use in practical applications. However, scientists have discovered a new way to assemble them at moderate temperatures using metal ions like nickel and strontium, instead of magnesium. This breakthrough simplifies the process and makes it possible to create DNA-based nanodevices in environments more similar to the human body. This discovery could open the door to DNA nanotechnology being used in real-world medical treatments.

             However, researchers still need to refine this process to ensure stability and effectiveness in human cells. If perfected, these nanostructures could help deliver drugs more precisely, reducing side effects and improving treatments for diseases like cancer. While this is still an early-stage research, it is an exciting step toward using DNA-based technologies in future healthcare solutions.

No More Cholesterol

In an article posted by Julie Steenhuysen on the Reuter's website, it informs that there are studies being done using nanotechnology to permanently edit genes. In "Nanotech, gene editing used to edit cholesterol gene: U.S. study," US researchers are integrating nanotechnology and gene editing techniques, specifically CRISPR.  In my last article I mentioned that a company was going to use a virus-like vehicle to deliver the CRISPR scissors, in this article, researchers are instead inserting chemically-modified CRISPR components into nano-scale fat particles and injecting them into mice, where they eventually make their way to liver cells. Located in these liver cells is the gene of interest, PCSK9- otherwise known as the cholesterol gene. While some drug companies have been able to synthesize drugs that inhibit this mechanism (shown above), many of these drugs are ineffective for patients who suffer from high cholesterol. Researchers now believe that they can get rid of this gene all together so that patients who suffer from atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolaemia can find relief. The same team of researchers are hoping to find other liver-associated diseases that they can possibly treat with their nanotechnology/CRISPR system.

I think that these researchers have an ingenious way of transporting the CRISPR technology into the body. There is a better chance that the body will invite the fat particles instead of unknown virus vehicles which our antibodies can attack. The removal of this gene would mean that no cholesterol proteins are synthesized, even in future filial generations! While this does sound amazing, it also does scare me that genes can be erased so easily. Who decides who gets this power?? There needs to be limitations to who can use this kind of technology. I understand that some researchers are using this technology for scientific reasons, but then there are others who will abuse it till no end. Also, this research makes me think what problems will arise due to the cholesterol gene deletion. Since we evolved with this gene, it has to play a more significant role in our genome in some way or another. Ultimately, I hope this research gives light to cures for other prominent diseases in our society today.


References:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-gene/nanotech-gene-editing-used-to-edit-cholesterol-gene-u-s-study-idUSKBN1DD1ZN

http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/features/pcsk9-inhibitors-the-next-cholesterol-lowering-blockbusters/20068181.article

DNA Origami: Using protein “staples” to create a new building block

A new method of DNA nanostructural engineering has been proposed recently. The process involves the use of transcription activator-like (TAL) effector proteins to act as staples that bind to desired areas of double-stranded DNA and create loops of user-chosen designs.  This DNA origami can be used as a nanostructure to place other attached proteins into a desired spatial arrangement that could serve some other purpose.  This is basically a method of using DNA strands as nano-scale scaffolding to arrange other desired elements into a specific shape.  Until now, only single strand DNA has been folded using oligonucleotides at non-physiological temperatures. Although this new process was only accomplished outside of living cells, the idea creates new potential for using DNA origami to create desired 3D structures out of proteins and DNA available in a living cell system. 

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/355/6331/eaam5488

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170323141326.htm

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbic.201600289/full

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhGG__boRxU

DNA Nanobots that Kill Cancer Cells Scheduled for Human Trials.

Researchers at Bar-llan University in Israel developed tiny nano-robots made entirely of molecular DNA that search for and destroy cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. This process has also been called "DNA origami" instead of "DNA nanobots."  While the research has, so far, only been performed on cell cultures and live animals (cockroaches, to name one), their hopes now turn to perform the research on a living person. Head researcher, Dr. Ido Bachelet, described the design of the nanobots back in 2012. At that time, the nanobots recognized at least 12 different types of cancer and had the ability to detect when a diabetic needed insulin. About one year ago, the nanobots were revamped and injected into live cockroaches with promising results. The first human test will be performed on a terminally ill leukemia patient with only a few months left to live. The research team is hopeful the cancer will be irradicated within one month.

The design of the nanobots is such that it won't incite an immune response. They were modeled after the body's natural immune system. The nanobots patrol the blood stream, much like white blood cells, and immediately report to any signs of distress. Since DNA is biodegradeable and biocompatible, it will eventually break down and avoid a foreign body immune response. The older version, from the 2012 Science magazine description, is shaped like a hexagonal tube with a latched hinge. When a targeted cell is recognized, the latch swings open (like Pac-Man) and deliver deadly drugs or nanoparticles to the targeted cell. The nanoparticles (mostly) cause the cancer cells to self-destruct. The newly revamped version, published in Nature magazine and practiced on cockroaches, resemble boxes with lids. These "boxes" were created using DNA strands, and inside the "box" were molecules that contained hemolymphs.

A photo of the first version of the nanobots from 2012.

Dr. Bachelet has huge visions and hopes for his nanobots. In the future, he wishes to treat just about any disease process, as well as perform cellular level surgeries, such as repairing spinal injuries via nerve cells.

The revamped version of the nanorobots injected into cockroaches.

This is revolutionary in the nanotechnology world. While nanotechnology has existed since the 1980's, there has yet to be such a medical wonder. However, there are some risks associated with this process in human beings. Some cancers actually invade an entire organ, rather than just floating around in the bloodstream or existing on the epithelial tissue. If these nanobots are programmed to take out the cancer cells, they could (theoretically) destroy an entire organ in the process. If the nanobots are so rapid at destroying a slowly developing cancer, they could wipe out a substantial amount of an organ before it has time to repair itself. If the nanobots are to be successful, their destruction rate of cancer tissue should be equal with the regeneration rate of healthy tissue.

Another concern I have is that this technology can be used, if in the wrong hands, to destroy healthy cells. There are plenty of terrorist organizations in this world that are leaning more and more towards bio-terrorism. Rather than a widespread poison, like anthrax or cyanide, these little nanobots could easily make their way into human bodies and destroy an entire country, if not more. Perhaps not by means of injection, but ingestion or inhalation. It's worrisome and scary, but it is always a possibility that things created for the good of humanity can be altered for the evil.


Original Article: Can DNA Nanobots Successfully Treat Cancer Patients? First Human Trial Soon

Computer can now model complex 3D shapes with hopes for DNA

Researchers reveal they have created a computer which they claim can now model intricate 3D shapes such as rings, bowls, and icosahedrons which are related to structures of viruses. The hopes of the newly developed technology is the branching of the computer to be used for DNA. So far DNA has been observed an analyzed by its sequences of its nucleotide building blocks, but another important property of DNA is its shape. About ten years ago scientists began manipulating DNA in 2D beginning "DNA Origami." As nanotechnology improved the scientists progressed towards 3D manipulation. The 3D nanostructures are utilized for the hope of creating methods to deliver drugs more effectively, enhance RNA Therapies, and cause artifical photosynthesis from chromophores.

The latest version of a model named CanDo cuts DNA sequences into subunits called "multiway junctions" which is what normally allows DNA strands to cross over during replication. The computer model reassembles the multiway junctions into the nanoscale shapes. Professor Bathe (MIT) reveals that the DNA shapes are "passive scaffolds" as their function would come from other molecules attached to them. 

I found this article interesting because I feel this is a big step for geneticists and those who study anything that is extremely small. A computer which can model structures for these researchers will bring a lot more understanding and success for those who use it.Also, how the researchers at MIT are using it displays the capability for the computer to be used for the medical field to help understand and hopefully improve the methods used by medical staff to treat patients. 

Article

Related Article

New Membrane Pores With DNA Nanotechnology

     Scientists at UCL have developed a new type of nanotechnology that greatly stremlines the process of creating artificial pores on cell membranes. Due to the lipid composition of human cell membranes, previous pore-creation technologies have struggled with anchoring their artificial "nanopores" to the cell. This new approach from UCL uses a type of molecule with an affinity for fats, allowing the artificial pores to be anchored in only two places. This represents a drastic improvement over earlier attempts at pore-creation.

     This article piqued my interest as it makes heavy use of synthetic biology and genetics. These DNA tubes are extremely exciting for the future of medicine, allowing drugs to be directly injected into specific cells. This bodes particularly well for the treatment of tumors and cancers, allowing drugs to specifically target malicious cells while sparing benign cells. Nanotechnology and its impact on medicine is fascinating and the surface is just being scratched.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131104123737.htm
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100920/full/news.2010.482.html

Scientists 'Silence' Aggressive Brain Cancer Gene in Mice

Test Mice 

Glioblastoma multiforme

 

                A new experimental drug has been found to turn off a gene that is connected to an aggressive and incurable type of brain cancer in mice. Glioblastoma multiforme is a brain cancer that is responsible for 13,000 American deaths a year. The new experimental is uses nanotechnology, which is small enough to advance through the blood-brain barrier to make contract with the brain tumors. This nanotechnology will target the cancer causing gene in the cells and shut them off; this means that the cancer causing genes were silenced.

Gene Silencing

  

               According to the study in, Science Translational Medicine, the mice that were used in these experiments were given the new drug intravenously. The results showed that the mice lived 20 percent longer and their tumors shrank three to four times in size. This had shown amazing progression towards ending this terrible disease. This opens up many doors to different therapy resistances. Many experimental drugs that are used against Glioblastoma fail in clinical trials. The next step is to test this experimental drug in clinical trials, though many results in animal studies are different when used in human studies. Hopefully, silencing these genes and eliminating them from the scenario will allow more treatments to be effective.  

                This disease is the source of thousands of people yearly. I find it amazing that we have come up with such technology that allows us to shut down cancer causing genes. By shutting down these genes, we give ourselves the time to do more research on the cancer itself to see if there are ways to eliminate it completely. This can also open up more research into silencing other genes for other diseases. Nanotechnology can be the beginning of a new era of disease control. 

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/10/30/scientists-silence-aggressive-brain-cancer-gene-in-mice

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/probe/doc/ApplSilencing.shtml

New DNA Nanotech Mimics Membrane Channels in Cells

[caption id="attachment_6345" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="This nanodevice is formed by 54 double-helical DNA domains on a honeycomb lattice."][/caption]

Physicists from Technische Universitaet Muenchen and the University of Michigan have shown how to construct synthetic membrane channels from the use of DNA nanotechnology. The DNA based channel is shaped after natural membrane channels in lipid bilayer membranes. "Membrane channels are tube-like structures made of proteins, which pierce the barriers and regulate the two-way exchange of material and information between the inside and outside."-Medical News Today. The device's stem is 42 nanometers long and has a internal diameter of two nanometers. The stem is partly protected by a barrel-like cap that is surrounded by cholestorol units which enables it to bind to the lipid membrane of a cell. Once attached to a cell wall, the stem sticks through and forms a pore. The pores formed from the synthetic membrane channels have electrical conductivity just like ion channels in natural cells and might be able to act like voltage controlled gates. The transmembrane current could be adjusted by changing structural details of the synthetic channels and geometric and chemical tailoring of the membrane channels can also be accomplished by this technology.

This little DNA based device could be used as molecular sensors, antimicrobial agents, and drivers of novel nanodevices. "If you want, for example, to inject something into a cell, you have to find a way to punch a hole into the cell membrane, and this device can do that, at least with model cell membranes," says TUM Prof. Hendrik Dietz, from TUM Institute for Advanced Study. This nanotechnology is also propused to imitate the action of viruses or phages by breaking through the cell walls of targeted bacteria to kill them, used as nano-needles to inject material into cells, and basic studies of cell metabolism. Dietz even said "We might be able to mimic natural ion pumps, transport proteins, and rotary motors like the enzyme responsible for synthesizing ATP".

This artical is excting and marks a new step in the development of nanotechnology. This device created by the Technische Universitaet Muenchen and the University of Michigan has opened many doors to the inside of a cell. In the future I think this device will be able to help prevent and treat illnesses.