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Silica@zirconia Core@shell Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Building Block Sorption
Livia Naszályi Nagy1, Evert Dhaene2, Matthias Van Zele2
1NMR and Structure Analysis Research Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2021
Summary
We developed novel silica@zirconia nanoparticles for effective nucleic acid delivery in vaccines. These nanoparticles demonstrate high loading capacity and good colloidal stability at physiological pH, offering a promising platform for vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Effective delivery systems are crucial for nucleic acid-based vaccines (DNA/RNA).
- Nanoparticles (20-200 nm) offer passive targeting of immune cells and can enhance antigen immunogenicity.
- Silica@zirconia nanoparticles present a potential platform for nucleic acid cargo immobilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize high-capacity silica@zirconia nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery.
- To optimize conditions for nucleic acid adsorption and assess colloidal stability.
- To evaluate the compatibility of the nanocarrier with biological buffers.
Main Methods:
- Green, scalable sol-gel synthesis of 50 nm silica@zirconia nanoparticles.
- Water dialysis to study colloidal stability and zirconia shell aging effects.
- Determination of optimal pH and buffer conditions for deoxynucleoside monophosphate (dNMP) adsorption and stability.
Main Results:
- High-capacity (207 mg dNMP/g) silica@zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized.
- Optimal nucleic acid adsorption and colloidal stability achieved at pH 7.0-7.5.
- HEPES buffer is compatible, while phosphate buffers significantly reduce loading capacity.
Conclusions:
- Silica@zirconia nanoparticles are promising carriers for nucleic acid-based vaccines.
- The developed nanoplatform exhibits high loading capacity and good stability under physiological conditions.
- Careful selection of buffers is necessary for optimal performance in biological applications.
