BioCell Research
AIM
Study and development of non-viral Gene Delivery Systems for Gene Therapy.
DESCRIPTION
Gene therapy, because of it aims to eradicate causes rather than symptoms of diseases, is believed by many to be the therapy of the 21st century. It can be broadly defined as the transfer of genetic material into a cell to transiently or permanently alter the cellular phenotype. Gene therapy has become one of the most intensively developing strategies for current clinical research, since it offers new treatment possibilities for many common acquired and inherited human diseases where conventional clinical procedures are less effective.
Gene Delivery Systems are vectors that deliver DNA to specific locations within the body and into the target cells, providing protection from gene degradation and ensuring gene transcription in the cell. Lipid- and polymer-based non-viral vectors represent an attractive opportunity for molecular engineering because they are self-assembling biomaterials in a nano/micrometer scale with the ability to transfer genes.
This Group aims to study, characterize and optimize non-viral vectors featuring high efficacy and biocompatibility. In particular, research, includes chemical, physical and biological studies of:
- the formation of vector-DNA complexes;
- the entry of the complexes into the cells;
- the migration of the DNA within the cytoplasm and the entry into the nucleus.
A better knowledge of these processes allows us to develop, together with the organic chemists, new more efficient vectors.
Furthermore, the Group is developing and testing an innovative and promising cationic lipid-based Gene Delivery System family that combines high expression levels with low toxicity.
PUBLICATIONS/PATENTS
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Candiani G*, Frigerio M, Viani F, Pezzoli D, Pellegrini C, Sala C, Verpelli C, Zanda M. Development of triazine-based cationic lipid for gene delivery. Society For Biomaterials Annual Meeting and Exposition: A Multi-Dimensional, Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Biomaterials Science, Chicago (USA) 18–21 April 2007.
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Candiani G, Frigerio M, Viani F, Verpelli C, Sala C, Chiamenti L, Zaffaroni N, Folini M, Sani M, Panzeri W, Zanda M*. Dimerizable Redox-Sensitive Triazine-Based Cationic Lipids for in vitro Gene Delivery. ChemMedChem. 27; 2(3): 292-296, 2007.
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Candiani G*, Frigerio M, Viani F, Verpelli C, Sala C, Zaffaroni N, Folini M, Sani M, Zanda M. Dimerizable triazine-based transfectants for in vitro gene delivery. 48th Annual Meeting of the Italian Cancer Society, Bari (Italy), 1-4 October 2006.
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Candiani G*, Frigerio M, Viani F, Zaffaroni N, Folini M, Zanda M. Development of azine-based transfectants for cancer gene therapy. International Conference on Advances in Biomaterials for drug delivery and regenerative medicine, Capri (Italy), 11-16 June 2006.
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Giordano C, Causa F, Candiani G*; Gene therapy: The state of the art and future directions. JABB, 4: 73-79, 2006.
GRANTS
Marie Curie European Re-Integration Grant Fellowship with the research project “TRANSFECTAZINE” MERG-CT-2005-029132
CONTACT US
Gabriele Candiani
PARTNERSHIP
Links
National Research Council – Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare (C.N.R. – I.C.R.M.)
