The delivery of nucleic acids into cells allows manipulation of genes, which can be useful in suppressing disease or undesired genes. However, cellular delivery of such materials, namely, DNA, RNA, proteins and other macromolecules is a challenge due to repulsive electrostatic forces. Encapsulation of negatively charged biomolecules by cationic nanocarriers can be an interesting alternative to methods such as electroporation, gene gun and direct injection. In this work, various nanocarriers, namely rosette nanotubes (biocompatible nanomaterials generated from the self-assembly of a bio-inspired bicycle, featuring the hydrogen bonding arrays of guanine and cytosine), peptides with tunable properties such as size, charge and functional groups, and polysaccharide-based materials were synthesized and characterized by microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. Some of these cationic nanomaterials were found to bind with plasmid DNA via electrostatic interactions at physiological conditions. The resulting complexes were successfully and reproducibly internalized by developing microspores, as evidenced by fluorescence. Various protocols for the release of DNA from the complexes were also explored.

Encapsulation of plasmid DNA by cationic nanocarriers for cellular uptake by microspores

256th National Meeting (2018)

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