Gold-DNA nanosunflowers for efficient gene silencing and controlled transformation

Developing an efficient delivery system for enhanced and controlled gene interference-based therapeutics is an existing challenge in molecular biology. The advancing field of nanotechnology can provide an effective, cross-disciplinary strategy to facilitate nucleic acid delivery. In a new report, Shuaidong Huo and colleagues in the interdisciplinary departments of Nanoscience, Interactive Materials, Chemistry and Polymer Research in China, Germany and the U.S. used triplex-forming oligonucleotide sequences coupled to its complementary strand to mediate the self-assembly of ultra-small gold nanoparticles.