Korean researchers developed an ‘artificial cell nucleus’ that will treat genetic disorders caused by serious defects in genomic DNA.

Prof. Um, Soong Ho’s research team at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) announced on september 3 that they have developed a artificial cell nucleus system which may be able to replace defected cell nucleuses. The system is simply manufactured by cross-linking protein-encoding genes with four-armed junctional DNA nanostructure as a histone-like bio-polymer, furthermore enveloped by lipid membranes to be easily transported into the target cell. As engaged with coupled transcription and translation system, the synthetic cell nucleus is also able to produce messenger RNA, eventually leading to massive protein production inside the cytosol of a cell.

To visualize the concept, a green-light emitting protein-encoding gene as a test model was positioned in the system matrix and then it resulted in strong green fluorescent emissions in brest cancer cell line. Traditional gene transfer methodologies for the genomic correction of serious genetic disorder have suffered from much limitations including few transfection efficiency and lower safety. By utilizing artificial cell nucleus the protein productivity increases up to 2.5 folds.

“Instead of the light-emitting protein-encoding gene its will be possible to insert healthy genes curing genetic disorders in the synthetic nucleus system” Prof. Um explained. The research results were published in the authoritative journal of nano-material sciences, ‘Small’ online edition for August 27. 

Link to media report: http://news.donga.com/3/all/20150904/73425531/1