Immunogenicity of DNA origami structures

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School of Chemical Engineering | Bachelor's thesis

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Mcode

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en

Pages

19

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Abstract

DNA origami is a method for building DNA nanostructures, which have been actively researched for drug delivery applications thanks to their biocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, programmability, and addressability. The addition of coatings can enhance their stability under physiological conditions and engender more functions, such as enhanced cellular uptake or specific tissue targeting. A promising option is viral capsid protein (CP) coating, as viral capsids are tailored by evolution for the very task of genome transportation into cells. Therefore, viral CP coatings offer multiple advantages, such as polymorphism, natural tropism, the ability to overcome biological barriers, and the ability to evade the immune system. However, the immunogenicity of DNA origami–viral CP complexes remains poorly understood despite immunogenicity being a critical consideration for developing drug delivery vehicles and biopharmaceuticals in general. This thesis first investigates the immunogenicity of DNA origami structures and viral CP coatings individually through a literature review. From these findings, the potential immunogenicity of the DNA origami–capsid complex is then proposed. The gathered information implies that the immunogenicity of the complex is potentially dependent on its overall shape, which is mostly dictated by the underlying DNA origami structure. The immunogenicity can also be affected by intrinsic properties of the viral CP itself. Finally, this thesis provides suggestions for future works to further clarify the immunogenic behavior of virus-encapsulated DNA origami structures.

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Supervisor

Hummel, Michael

Thesis advisor

Saarinen, Sharon

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