Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Nanobiohybrid Systems for Targeted Gene Delivery

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Tarbiat Modares University have developed a novel nanobiohybrid system for targeted gene delivery to macrophage cells, providing a promising approach for cancer gene therapy. The team, led by Marziyeh Mousazadeh, has created a chimeric peptide-carbon quantum dot nanobiohybrid system that can condense and deliver DNA into target cells, improving the transport of genetic material across biological barriers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The nanobiohybrid system combines biological macromolecules with nanomaterials to form hybrid structures with diverse applications, including gene delivery, cancer therapy, and drug delivery.
  • The system consists of a chimeric peptide and carbon quantum dots, which interact with DNA through π-π interactions and electrostatic forces, enabling targeted gene delivery to macrophage cells.
  • The nanohybrids exhibited a size of 16 ± 2 nm and a zeta potential of -12.6 mV, facilitating interaction with DNA and target cells.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the chimeric peptide preferentially interacts with DNA, while the carbon quantum dots bind to the DNA component through π-π interactions.
  • The developed nanobiohybrid system achieved a high gene transfection efficiency in J744A.1 macrophages, demonstrating its potential for cancer gene therapy.

Statistics:

  • The nanohybrids exhibited a size of 16 ± 2 nm.
  • The zeta potential of the nanohybrids was -12.6 mV.
  • The binding constant (Kd) between the carbon quantum dots and the Pep/DNA complex was 15.6 M.
  • The gene transfection efficiency of the developed nanobiohybrid system was confirmed in J744A.1 macrophages.
  • Bionanotechnology and nanobiotechnology are emerging as promising fields for advanced medical applications.

Sources:

  • A Chimeric Peptide-Carbon Quantum Dot Nanobiohybrid System for Gene Delivery to Macrophage Cells. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Findings on Cancer Gene Therapy Described by Researchers at Tarbiat Modares University (A Chimeric Peptide-Carbon Quantum Dot Nanobiohybrid System for Gene Delivery to Macrophage Cells). Biotech Week. October 29, 2025; p 19.