( In the realm of nanotechnology or stud...)UCLA scientists store materials in cells natural vaults

In the realm of nanotechnology, or study of the tiny, scientists often aim to safely deliver and leave material in the human body without causing harm. A big challenge is how to design a package for this biomaterial that will be compatible with living cells and will not provoke an immune reaction. Previous efforts have relied upon viruses or artificial chemicals to house and deliver drugs or other substances to targeted cells.

RESEARCH: Scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have exploited thousands of tiny capsules in cells to store vast amounts of biomaterial. Dubbed vaults ?for their high arches reminiscent of cathedral ceilings ?these naturally occurring capsules may prove less likely to elicit an immune response than foreign carriers like viruses.

IMPACT: The UCLA discovery will enable many potential applications, including:

* Therapeutic delivery, such as homing cancer drugs directly to a tumor cell without harming healthy tissue
* Enzyme delivery to replace missing or defective enzymes, such as those that cause Tay Sachs disease
* DNA delivery to correct genetic mutations
* Timed release of drugs, enzymes and DNA
* Extracting and imprisoning cellular toxins into the vault
* Stabilizing proteins in vaults to increase their lifespans

AUTHORS: Leonard Rome, professor of biological chemistry and senior associate dean of research; Bruce Dunn, professor of material science and engineering; Jeffrey Zink, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Valerie Kickhoefer, first author and associate research biochemist.

JOURNAL: The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0500929102v1

'"/>

Source:University of California - Los Angeles


Page: 1
Related biology news :

1. Wisconsin scientists grow critical nerve cells
2. UCSB scientists probe sea floor venting to gain understanding of early life on Earth
3. UAB scientists discover the origin of a mysterious physical force
4. Fox Chase Cancer Center scientists identify immune-system mutation
5. Weizmann Institute scientists develop a new approach for directing treatment to metastasized prostate cancer in the bones.
6. U-M scientists find genes that control growth of common skin cancer
7. UCLA scientists transform HIV into cancer-seeking missile
8. RNA project to create language for scientists worldwide
9. Carnegie Mellon scientists develop tool that uses MRI to visualize gene expression in living animals
10. To control germs, scientists deploy tiny agents provocateurs
11. Leprosy microbes lead scientists to immune discovery