Carbon Nanotubes as a DNA Delivery Agent for Generation of Genetically Modified Mammals Embryos

Abstract

Several research centers and pharmaceutical corporations routinely use genetically modified animals (GMAs) in the development of new drugs, in the identification of new drug targets and to test drugs’ efficacy and safety. The most usual methods to produce GMAs are pronuclear microinjection, somatic cell nuclear transfer, retroviral vectors, and recently, embryonic stem cell transgenesis. These methods make use of DNA vectors and present several limitations. Recently, nanomaterials have been applied as an alternative vector for delivery of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells. This chapter addresses the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a DNA delivery agent for the generation of genetically modified mammals embryos. CNTs can be easily bound to DNA by non-covalent attachement. The DNA strand spontaneously wraps around the carbon nanotubes and DNA molecules can be encapsulated within or around them. The process of interaction of DNA/RNA with CNT favors their protection from degradation by cytoplasmic nucleases, increasing the integration of the transgene into cell nucleus. Thus, the use of CNTs can be far simpler and less laborious when compared to other techniques to produce GMAs.