Development of nano device for regulating mitochondrial gene expression

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25560219
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: YAMADA Yuma 北海道大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 助教 (60451431)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 薬学 / ミトコンドリア / ナノマシン / 発現制御 / 薬物送達学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Mitochondria have attracted interest as an organelle that can be used as a target in medical therapy, in the maintenance of beauty & health and the development of the life sciences. The objectives of the research supported by this grant is to develop a nano device that can be used for regulating mitochondrial gene expression including mitochondrial gene silencing and mitochondrial transgene expression. In this study, we report on the successful mitochondrial delivery of nucleic acids in human cells using a MITO-Porter, which is a liposome-based carrier that is capable of introducing macromolecular cargos into mitochondria via membrane fusion. Moreover, we achieved mitochondrial RNA knockdown and mitochondrial transgene expression using such a MITO-Porter system. Our system for regulating mitochondrial gene expression system promises to have a significant impact on the medical and life sciences.

Free Research Field

薬物送達学