DNA Nanotechnology for Precise Control over Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy

Small. 2016 Mar 2;12(9):1117-32. doi: 10.1002/smll.201502167. Epub 2016 Jan 3.

Abstract

Nanomedicine has been growing exponentially due to its enhanced drug targeting and reduced drug toxicity. It uses the interactions where nanotechnological components and biological systems communicate with each other to facilitate the delivery performance. At this scale, the physiochemical properties of delivery systems strongly affect their capacities. Among current delivery systems, DNA nanotechnology shows many advantages because of its unprecedented engineering abilities. Through molecular recognition, DNA nanotechnology can be used to construct a variety of nanostructures with precisely controllable size, shape, and surface chemistry, which can be appreciated in the delivery process. In this review, different approaches that are currently used for the construction of DNA nanostructures are reported. Further, the utilization of these DNA nanostructures with the well-defined parameters for the precise control in drug delivery and gene therapy is discussed.

Keywords: DNA nanotechnology; drug delivery; gene therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Nanotechnology*

Substances

  • DNA