Hybrid bio-synthetic gene delivery

What is it about?

Gene delivery vectors are required in most applications to navigate the many requirements and challenges associated with nucleic acid transfer. Each vector has advantages and disadvantages that may limit extensive application or require significant design and engineering to allow for efficacious gene delivery. As such, the gene delivery field features a large collection of individual vectors that is continually expanding towards improvements and clinical translation. In this work, we put forward an alternative view on the development of a gene delivery vector. Instead of the common single vector approach, we have combined two normally distinct vector classes (biological and synthetic) for the purpose of synergistic gene delivery. At the heart of the approach is a desire to couple fundamentally different properties associated with the components of the new hybrid vector with the goal of expanding the overall capability. The design was also pursued to apply normally disparate interdisciplinary engineering tools associated with each vector component.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Vaccination is a powerful means of preempting or treating disease. The process depends on successful recognition of a foreign entity (an antigen) to elicit a strong immune response. The delivery of an antigen encoded as a DNA molecule (a genetic antigen) requires the assistance of a vector to facilitate the process of gene expression within immune system sentinels termed antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this study, two normally distinct vectors (a bacterial cell and a synthetic polymer) were combined to generate a hybrid vector. The new vector coupled synergistic mechanisms to assist and improve gene delivery to APCs. Furthermore, the hybrid vector provides unique and complimentary engineering capabilities that were demonstrated to tailor and improve APC gene delivery further.