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Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Delivery of the Cas9/sgRNA Ribonucleoprotein Complex in Immortalized and Primary Cells via Virus-like Particles "Nanoblades"
Published on: March 31, 2021
Integrating CRISPR/Cas systems with programmable DNA nanostructures for delivery and beyond.
Petteri Piskunen1, Rosalind Latham2,3, Christopher E West2
1Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 00076 Aalto, Finland.
CRISPR/Cas gene editing and DNA nanotechnology are merging for novel biomedical applications. This perspective explores how DNA nanostructures enhance CRISPR/Cas delivery and enable new programmable functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Medical applications
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- CRISPR/Cas enables precise genome editing for treating genetic diseases.
- Structural DNA nanotechnology offers a platform for precise positioning of nanoscopic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe recent advances in combining CRISPR/Cas gene editing with DNA nanotechnology.
- To highlight the application of DNA nanostructures in enhancing CRISPR/Cas delivery and enabling new functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on CRISPR/Cas and DNA nanotechnology integration.
- Focus on self-assembled DNA nanostructures for programmable nanotechnological applications.
Main Results:
- DNA nanostructures have been successfully used to enhance and direct CRISPR/Cas delivery.
- Emerging applications of DNA nanostructures extend beyond delivery to other complex functions.
Conclusions:
- The convergence of CRISPR/Cas and DNA nanotechnology presents significant potential for future biomedical and biotechnological innovations.
- Further research into programmable nanotechnological applications using DNA nanostructures is warranted.
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