I-GENE - In-vivo Gene Editing by NanotransducErs (DIT.AD005.050)
Thematic area
Engineering, ICT and technologies for energy and transportation
Project area
e-Infrastructure (DIT.AD005)Structure responsible for the research project
Institute of information science and technologies "Alessandro Faedo" (ISTI)
Project manager
PASQUALE PAGANO
Phone number: +39 050 621 2891
Email: pasquale.pagano@isti.cnr.it
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 and enzyme-based editors hold promise for genome surgery by erasing harmful mutations and rewriting in helpful ones, but face critical barriers related to safety. Here, we propose a new concept of genome engineering based on nanotransducers (NT), which aims to make safe previously impracticable applications of genome editing and transcriptional regulation by Cas9. The methodology is based on laser-activation of a NT, which triggers a thermo-switchable double strand DNA break or cleavage. The proposed technology implements a concept of multi-input AND gates, where the output (gene editing) is true if multiple inputs are true (e.g. NT activation and recognition of 2 different loci). The superiority of I-GENE technology over current methodologies lies also in the multi-function integration. Overall, this enables temporal control of single cell editing and provides an absolute safety level for developing effective genome editing for biotechnology and therapeutic applications. I-GENE technology would push the boundaries of efficient and reliable ways to make precise, targeted changes to the genome of living cells that is the long-standing and main goal of gene therapy.
Start date of activity
01/11/2019
Keywords
Nanophotonics, DNA synthesis, modification, repair, recombination, degradation, Nano-materials, Biomedical engineering, genome editing, nanotransducer
Last update: 25/04/2024