Enhanced delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids using DNA-surfactant conjugates
Official title: Achieving enhanced cytosolic delivery and greater efficacy of therapeutic nucleic acids using DNA-surfactant conjugates
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11331520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to make therapeutic nucleic acids more effective by improving how they reach the inside of cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $406,250 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM138226-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients whose conditions could be treated with nucleic acid therapies and who participate in future translational or clinical testing of delivery methods.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage delivery research may not yet translate to immediate patient benefits for those not involved in subsequent trials.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a DNA-surfactant delivery system called a nucleic acid nanocapsule to increase the amount of therapeutic nucleic acids that reach the cell cytosol. The team studies chemical tweaks, cell tests, computer simulations, and animal data to understand and improve endosomal escape and cytosolic delivery. The goal is to lay out a clear framework for advancing delivery methods that could benefit patients with diseases treated by nucleic acid drugs. The work is long-term and centers on translating optimized delivery to broader clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make nucleic acid medicines work more effectively in patients by delivering more of the active drug to the target inside cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that optimizing delivery vehicles can improve cytosolic delivery and gene regulation in cells and in vivo models, supporting potential progress here.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rouge, Jessica L — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Rouge, Jessica L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.