Targeted Drug Delivery in Artificial Cells Using DNA Nanorobots

DNA nanotechnology enables synthetic cells to improve drug delivery through programmable channels, offering new possibilities in medical research.

Highlights:

DNA nanorobots control artificial cell membranes, mimicking living cell functions
It creates transport channels in synthetic cells to enhance drug delivery
Synthetic cells can replicate living cells' behavior, offering new medical treatment possibilities

DNA nanotechnology offers promising solutions to design and control synthetic cells for medical and therapeutic applications. DNA nanorobots can modify artificial cell membranes to create programmable transport channels ().

The transport channels can enhance the movement of large molecules like therapeutic proteins or enzymes across the cell membrane.

Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) Application in Cancer Detection
cfDNA offers a non-invasive approach for early cancer detection, monitoring treatment response, and identifying relapses, aiding in improved patient outcomes.

‘DNA nanorobots show potential for targeted #drugdelivery to synthetic cells. #DNAnanorobot #cfDNA #medindia’

How DNA Nanorobots Are Transforming Synthetic Cell Design

Prof. Laura Na Liu, a researcher from the University of Stuttgart and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research has developed an innovative method to control the shape and permeability of artificial cell membranes, simplified models used to study biological membranes.

The research published in Nature Materials, shows the significant importance of DNA nanotechnology. The study highlights the use of signal-dependent DNA nanorobots influencing the shape and functionality of synthetic cells.

The study focused on giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), cell-sized structures mimicking living cells. Using DNA nanorobots, researchers modified the shape and functionality of these synthetic cells.

Cell-free DNA: A Non-Invasive Cancer Detection
Cell-free DNA can be used for non-invasive cancer detection and disease monitoring to enhance personalized medicine.

Creating Channels for Targeted Drug Delivery

These channels, formed by The DNA nanorobots created synthetic channels on the artificial cell membranes allowing large molecules like therapeutic proteins to pass through. The opened channels can also be closed when needed to control what enters and exits the cells.

DNA nanorobots can also facilitate the transportation of therapeutic proteins or enzymes to their targets in the living cell. It shows promise in the administration of drugs and other therapeutic interventions.

This mechanism was developed using DNA origami, a technique where DNA strands are folded into specific shapes to create reconfigurable nanorobots. These nanorobots can mimic certain cellular processes, offering new possibilities for drug delivery.

Cell-Free DNA: A New Era in Non-Invasive Diagnostics
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) offers a non-invasive way to detect and monitor diseases like cancer, providing crucial insights through simple blood tests.

Synthetic Cells in Medical Research and Therapy

Synthetic cells can replicate the behavior of living cells, offering new opportunities for medical applications. The ability to create and control transport channels in synthetic cells has a significant role in healthcare. These channels can efficiently deliver therapeutic proteins or enzymes to specific targets in the body.

This new development can improve drug delivery research offering more precise and effective treatments for diseases. Artificial cells mimicking the living cells’ functions can be used in therapeutic research.

Reference:

DNA nanorobots that can alter artificial cells offer a new tool for synthetic biology - (https://phys.org/news/2025-01-dna-nanorobots-artificial-cells-tool.html)

Source-Medindia

Circulating Cell-Free DNA Is Enabling Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis offers a non-invasive way to identify lung cancer, even at early stages, through DNA fragments in the bloodstream.