Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
06:54
Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology
Published on: July 5, 2022
2.3K
Piggybacking functionalized DNA nanostructures into live-cell nuclei.
Golbarg M Roozbahani1,2, P L Colosi3, Attila Oravecz4,5,6,7
1Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Science Advances
|July 5, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a method to deliver DNA origami nanostructures (DOs) into live-cell nuclei. These nanodevices remain intact for 24 hours, enabling new possibilities for intracellular research.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- DNA origami nanostructures (DOs) show potential in drug delivery, biosensing, and studying cellular structures.
- Targeting DOs to mammalian cell nuclei is crucial for in vivo applications like visualizing and controlling biomolecular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate an effective method for delivering DOs into live-cell nuclei.
- To assess the structural integrity and intracellular behavior of DOs post-delivery.
Main Methods:
- Conjugated 30-nanometer DO nanorods with an antibody targeting the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II).
- Delivered antibody-conjugated DOs into human U2OS cells via electroporation.
- Monitored DO structural integrity and localization within cells over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- DOs exhibited no detectable structural degradation in cell culture media or extracts for 24 hours.
- DOs remained structurally intact within live cells, including the nucleus, for 24 hours.
- Electroporated, anti-Pol II antibody-conjugated DOs were successfully delivered into cell nuclei and displayed subdiffusive motion.
Conclusions:
- Interfacing DOs with specific nuclear factors provides an effective strategy for targeted nuclear delivery.
- This method enables the introduction of nanodevices into live-cell nuclei, maintaining their structural integrity.
- The findings open avenues for advanced intracellular probing, visualization, and manipulation of biomolecular processes.
