title: Photoresponsive Bridged Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles with Tunable Morphology for Light-Triggered Plasmid DNA Delivery.
abstract: Bridged silsesquioxane nanocomposites with tunable morphologies incorporating o-nitrophenylene-ammonium bridges are described. The systematic screening of the sol-gel parameters allowed the material to reach the nanoscale with controlled dense and hollow structures of 100-200 nm. The hybrid composition of silsesquioxanes with 50% organic content homogeneously distributed in the nanomaterials endowed them with photoresponsive properties. Light irradiation was performed to reverse the surface charge of nanoparticles from +46 to -39 mV via a photoreaction of the organic fragments within the particles, as confirmed by spectroscopic monitorings. Furthermore, such nanoparticles were applied for the first time for the on-demand delivery of plasmid DNA in HeLa cancer cells via light actuation.
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Yevhen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fatieiev
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Jonas G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Croissant
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shahad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alsaiari
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Basem A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Moosa
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Dalaver H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Anjum
authors.affiliation: Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory, Imaging and Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) , Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Niveen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Khashab
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism*; D012821:Silanes / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D046590:Spectroscopy, Electron Energy-Loss; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; D012821:Silanes; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA delivery; bridged silsesquioxane; charge reversal; hollow nanoparticles; organosilica