Tailored Nucleic Acid Architectures at Gold Surfaces for Controlled Therapeutic Release

Toward the Integration of Machine Learning and Molecular Modeling for Designing Drug Delivery Nanocarriers

The pioneering work on liposomes in the 1960s and subsequent research in controlled drug release systems significantly advances the development of nanocarriers (NCs) for drug delivery. This field is evolved to include a diverse array of nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and more, each tailored to specific therapeutic applications. Despite significant achievements, the clinical translation of nanocarriers is limited, primarily due to the low efficiency of drug delivery and an incomplete understanding of nanocarrier interactions with biological systems. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a deep understanding of the nano-bio interface. To enhance nanocarrier design, scientists employ both physics-based and data-driven models. Physics-based models provide detailed insights into chemical reactions and interactions at atomic and molecular scales, while data-driven models leverage machine learning to analyze large datasets and uncover hidden mechanisms. The integration of these models presents challenges such as harmonizing different modeling approaches and ensuring model validation and generalization across biological systems. However, this integration is crucial for developing effective and targeted nanocarrier systems. By integrating these approaches with enhanced data infrastructure, explainable AI, computational advances, and machine learning potentials, researchers can develop innovative nanomedicine solutions, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes.

Hollow Polyethyleneimine Nanoparticles with Drug Loaded DNA for Chemotherapeutic Applications

The next generation of anticancer agents are emerging from rationally designed nanostructured materials. This work involved the synthesis and characterization of novel hollow DNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles (DNA-AuNPs) for controlled drug delivery. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was bound to AuNPs, forming polymer-shell nanoparticles. Dissolution of the gold core via iodine formed hollow core polymeric nanoparticles (HCPNPs) and a high density (85 molecules/particle) of DNA intercalated with daunorubicin was conjugated. Particles were spherical with an average diameter of 105.7±17.3 nm and zeta potential of 20.4±3.54 mV. We hypothesize the DNA backbone electrostatically condensed to the primary amines on the surface of the particle toroidally, weaving itself within the polymer shell. During the DNA intercalation process, increasing the ionic concentration and decreasing the amine/phosphate ratio 10-fold increased drug intercalation 64 % and 61 %, respectively, allowing us to determine the optimal method of particle synthesis. As intercalation sites increased with increasing DNA strand length, drug loading increased. An average of 874±40.1 daunorubicin molecules were loaded per HCPNP. HCPNPs with drug intercalated DNA have strong potential to be clinically efficacious drug delivery vehicles due to the versatility of DNA and high drug loading capacities.

Recent advancements in design of nucleic acid nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery

Research of nanoscale nucleic acid carriers has garnered attention in recent years due to their distinctive and controllable properties. However, current knowledge is limited in how we can efficiently utilize these systems for clinical applications. Several researchers have pioneered new and innovative nanocarrier drug delivery systems, but understanding physiochemical properties and behavior in vivo is vital to implementing them as clinical drug delivery platforms. In this review, we outline the most significant innovations in the synthesis, physical properties, and utilization of nucleic acid nanocarriers in the past 5 years, addressing the crucial properties which improve nanocarrier characteristics, delivery, and drug release. The challenges of controlling the transport of nucleic acid nanocarriers and therapeutic release for biological applications are outlined. Barriers which inhibit effective transport into tissue are discussed with emphasis on the modifications needed to overcome such obstacles. The novel strategies discussed in this work summarize the pivotal features of modern nucleic nanocarriers and postulate where future developments could revolutionize the translation of these tools into a clinical setting.