Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acids

Abstract

A novel class of metal-free spherical nucleic acid nanostructures was synthesized from readily available starting components. These particles consist of 30 nm liposomal cores, composed of an FDA-approved 1,2-dioleoyl-<i>sn</i>-glycero-3-phospho­choline (DOPC) lipid monomer. The surface of the liposomes was functionalized with DNA strands modified with a toco­pherol tail that intercalates into the phospho­lipid layer of the liposomal core via hydrophobic interactions. The spherical nucleic acid architecture not only stabilizes these constructs but also facilitates cellular internalization and gene regulation in SKOV-3 cells