title: Stimuli-responsive DNA-functionalized nano-/microcontainers for switchable and controlled release.
abstract: Stimuli-responsive DNA-functionalized nano- and microcontainers composed of mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles (MP SiO2 NPs), microcapsules, or micelles/vesicles act as carriers for the transport and release of drugs. The information encoded in the DNA sequences provides instructive information for the gating of drug-loaded pores of MP SiO2 NPs, for the assembly and degradation of microcapsules or lipid-DNA micelles/vesicles, and for the targeting of nano-/microcontainers to cancer cells. Different triggers are applied to release the drugs loaded in the nano-/microcontainers by unlocking the pores of the MP SiO2 NPs or by degradation of the containers. These include the use of switchable DNA nanostructures (nucleic acid hairpins, i-motif, G-quadruplexes) and the implementation of chemical, thermal, or photonic stimuli. Also, catalytic processes stimulated by DNAzymes or enzymes are used to release drugs from the nano-/microcontainers.
authors: Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904 (Israel) http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/willner/
authors: Chun-Hua
authors: CH
authors: Lu
authors: Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904 (Israel) http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/willner/. willnea@vms.huji.ac.il.
authors: Itamar
authors: I
authors: Willner
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D021881:DNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008823:Micelles; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D021881:DNA, Catalytic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008823:Micelles; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004247:DNA
keywords: lipid-DNA micelles; mesoporous nanoparticles; microcapsules; nanomedicine; vesicles