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Using a novel method developed at IBN, Singapore, the researchers were able to encapsulate an insect virus with fibers produced from peptides and DNA for gene delivery. As the structure of the microfibers closely resembles human tissue fibers, they were able to "disguise" the virus by reducing the body's ability to recognize the virus and prevent its premature deactivation. Tests conducted on mice with brain tumor show that the microfiber- coated viruses could significantly slow down tumor growth and prolong survival, in comparison to treatment with uncoated viruses.
Using a water-based chemical process, IBN scientists were able to construct tissue fibers from two biomolecular materials – peptides and DNA. The researchers flanked two droplets of the oppositely charged peptide and DNA molecules after it has been dissolved in water. Upon contact, the droplets zipped together to form a two-component fiber. Fiber formation presumably occurs from the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged peptide molecule and the negatively charged DNA molecule. Through the same procedure, baculoviral vectors were added to the DNA solution to coat the virus with the fibers.
Dr Shu Wang shared, "For the very first time, we have shown that two biomolecules, namely peptides and DNA, can interact with each other to form structured fibers in a test tube. Since these biomolecules are readily metabolized in the human body to naturally occurring molecules and have no adverse toxicity, they hold strong biomedical potential for the delivery of therapeutic drugs, genes, proteins and viruses to combat cancer." © IBN
In trying to prevent the body from disabling the virus before it reaches the diseased cells, the research team led by IBN Group Leader Dr Shu Wang turned to a unique microfiber fabrication technique developed by Dr Andrew C. A. Wan at IBN. In the human body, tissue fibers are naturally formed by the assembly of two different types of macromolecules, such as proteins and DNA. Currently, synthetic tissue fibers are fabricated with only one type of biomolecular material because fibers composed of more than one type of biomolecule are difficult to produce.
J. Yang, G. Balasundaram, S.-L. Lo, E. C. S. Guang, J. M. Xue, J. Song, A. C. A. Wan, J. Y. Ying and S. Wang: Mi- crofibers Fabricated by Non-Covalent Assembly of Peptide and DNA for Viral Vector Encapsulation and Cancer Therapy, In: Advanced Materials, Vol. 24(2012), Issue 24, June 26, 2012, Pages 3280-3284, DOI:10.1002/ adma.201201145: