DNATitleDNA

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Our technology employs a two-component strategy to target VEGF directly to the heart. The first component is a DNA nanostructure in the shape of a cube. We designed the nanostructure using the DNA origami technique pioneered by the Rothemund Lab at the California Institute of Technology. This nanostructure contains a lid that is closed shut by DNA duplexes, which function as "locks." They are configured in such a way that when a DNA "key strand" with a complementary sequence comes into contact with the "lock," one of the strands is displaced and the lid opens. We target these structures directly to the myocardium using a second component, the targeting complex. This complex consists of an antibody to a myocardiocyte specific marker (the cell surface protein N-cadherin) conjugated to a biotinylated DNA "key" strand. These two motifs are connected by a specifically engineered streptavidin-protein A chimer that is synthesized using the pET expression system in the E. coli strain BL(DE3). Together, these two components ensure that the release of VEGF from the DNA nanostructures is concentrated the damaged myocardium.

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