Applications of Spherical Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles as Delivery Systems

Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are nanostructures consisting of highly oriented, dense layers of oligonucleotides arranged in a spherical 3D geometry. Owing to their unique properties and function, SNAs occupy a material space distinct from 'DNA nanotechnology' and DNA origami. Over the past two decades SNAs have revolutionized gene regulation, drug delivery, gene therapy, and molecular diagnostics, and show promise for both antisense and RNAi therapy. We focus here on recent advances in the synthesis and application of SNAs in gene and drug delivery, diagnostics, and immunomodulation, as well as on the utility of nanoflares as intracellular mRNA detection systems.