Delivery of siRNA using Lysine-Functionalized Rosette Nanotubes for Cancer Therapy

• Author / Creator

  Ho, Uyen T

• Cancer remains to be one of the deadliest diseases world-wide due to its effect on millions of lives per year. The discovery of RNA interference and delivery of siRNA (small-interfering RNA) for protein silencing have been widely used for treatment of cancer cells. Research in our lab focuses on G∧C molecules (hybrid of guanine and cytosine bases) that can self-assemble into rosette nanotubes (RNTs) in physiological environment, proves to be biocompatible for in vitro and in vivo applications. This dissertation explores the lysine functionalized-twin RNTs (KnT RNTs, n = number of lysine residues) and lysine-functionalized mono RNTs (K1 RNTs). Gel retardation assay and fluorescence imaging showed that cationic charges on the RNTs strongly affect the binding interaction with siRNA and the intracellular delivery of the RNTs-siRNA complexes. K3T RNTs and K1 RNTs were assessed to demonstrate their low toxicity and effectiveness in siRNA delivery for protein silencing in cancer cells (A549 and HCT116).

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Protein silencing
  • Cancer therapy
  • SiRNA delivery
  • Rosette Nanotubes

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R36Q1SQ08

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.