Tiny DNA Structures for Delivering Medicines and Imaging
Official title: Programmable DNA Nanostructures as Biomedical and Structural Scaffolds
Funded at State University of New York at Albany · NIH-11143868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores using specially designed DNA structures to deliver medicines more effectively and for better imaging, particularly for conditions like myotonic dystrophy type 1.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150672-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with multisystemic diseases, such as myotonic dystrophy type 1, who might benefit from more targeted drug delivery methods could potentially be candidates for future clinical applications of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions do not involve the need for targeted drug delivery or those for whom this specific nanotechnology approach is not applicable may not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
This project aims to create tiny structures made from DNA that can precisely carry medicines to different parts of the body. We are developing these DNA structures to act as drug carriers, specifically for a new type of medicine called modified polycyclic compounds (MPCs). The goal is to deliver these medicines to multiple organs and improve how we screen for new drug candidates, using myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) as a model disease. We will also design 3D DNA crystals to help understand their structures better. This work involves testing in cell cultures and animal models to ensure the DNA structures can deliver drugs effectively, are safe, and target specific cells or diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to deliver drugs more precisely to multiple organs, potentially improving treatments for complex diseases like myotonic dystrophy type 1.
How similar studies have gone: While DNA nanotechnology is an emerging field, previous work has shown its potential for precise molecular control, though its application as a robust drug delivery platform for multisystemic diseases is still in early development.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandrasekaran, Arun Richard — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Chandrasekaran, Arun Richard
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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.