The applications of functionalized DNA nanostructures in bioimaging and cancer therapy

Yun Zeng; Rachel L Nixon; Wenyan Liu; Risheng Wang

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120560

The applications of functionalized DNA nanostructures in bioimaging and cancer therapy

Biomaterials. 2021 Jan:268:120560. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120560. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Authors

Yun Zeng¹, Rachel L Nixon², Wenyan Liu³, Risheng Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, PR China. Electronic address: yzeng@xidian.edu.cn.
² Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA.
³ Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA; Center for Research in Energy and Environment, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA. Electronic address: wangri@mst.edu.

PMID: 33285441
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120560

Abstract

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecular carrier of genetic information that can be fabricated into functional nanomaterials in biochemistry and engineering fields. Those DNA nanostructures, synthesized via Watson-Crick base pairing, show a wide range of attributes along with excellent applicability, precise programmability, and extremely low cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. In this review, the applications of functionalized DNA nanostructures in bioimaging and tumor therapy are summarized. We focused on approaches involving DNA origami nanostructures due to their widespread use in previous and current reports. Non-DNA origami nanostructures such as DNA tetrahedrons are also covered. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives regarding DNA nanostructures in the biomedical arena are discussed.

Keywords: Bioimaging; Cancer Therapy; DNA Nanostructures; DNA Origami.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

DNA
Humans
Nanostructures*
Nanotechnology
Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
Neoplasms* / therapy

Substances

DNA