RNA nanostructures for targeted drug delivery and imaging

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperReviewResearchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The RNA molecule plays a pivotal role in many biological processes by relaying genetic information, regulating gene expression, and serving as molecular machines and catalyzers. This inherent versatility of RNA has fueled significant advancements in the field of RNA nanotechnology, driving the engineering of complex nanoscale architectures toward biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery and bioimaging. RNA polymers, serving as building blocks, offer programmability and predictability of Watson-Crick base pairing, as well as non-canonical base pairing, for the construction of nanostructures with high precision and stoichiometry. Leveraging the ease of chemical modifications to protect the RNA from degradation, researchers have developed highly functional and biocompatible RNA architectures and integrated them into preclinical studies for the delivery of payloads and imaging agents. This review offers an educational introduction to the use of RNA as a biopolymer in the design of multifunctional nanostructures applied to targeted delivery in vivo, summarizing physical and biological barriers along with strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, we highlight the most recent progress in the development of both small and larger RNA nanostructures, with a particular focus on imaging reagents and targeted cancer therapeutics in pre-clinical models and provide insights into the prospects of this rapidly evolving field.

Original languageEnglish
JournalRNA Biology
Volume21
Issue1
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
ISSN1547-6286
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2024

Keywords

  • DNA/chemistry
  • Humans
  • Nanostructures/chemistry
  • Nanotechnology/methods
  • Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
  • RNA/genetics
  • RNA nanostructures
  • targeted drug delivery
  • tumour targeting
  • RNA therapeutics
  • bioconjugation
  • personalized nanomedicine
  • bioimaging
  • cancer
  • aptamers

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RNA nanostructures for targeted drug delivery and imaging'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this