Researcher Divita Mathur honored with the CAREER award for her study on engineered DNA nanoparticles for genetic treatment applications.
Divita Mathur, the Frank Hovorka Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER grant for her groundbreaking research on synthetic DNA nanoparticles. This research holds significant potential for gene therapy and targeted cell delivery, addressing a critical gap in the field.
Mathur's nanoparticles are designed to be highly programmable, allowing them to carry genetic information to replace missing or malfunctioning genes, instructing cells to produce essential proteins or correct genetic errors. By incorporating molecular "barcodes" or ligands, these nanoparticles can be directed to specific cellular destinations, overcoming the current limitations of gene therapy delivery systems.
Currently, gene therapies primarily target the liver. Mathur's nanoparticles aim to extend gene therapy to other organs and cell types, a significant advancement in the field. The NSF CAREER grant will support Mathur's work in synthesizing nanoparticles and studying their behavior inside cells in a laboratory.
Mathur's lab at Case Western Reserve University is actively involved in synthesizing and characterizing these nanoparticles to understand their intracellular dynamics better. To observe these nanoparticles inside a living cell, Mathur plans to attach a fluorescent molecule to the DNA nanoparticles. She will use single-cell injections and a microscope to track the nanoparticles and observe their changes over time inside individual cells.
The NSF CAREER award is given to junior faculty members who have the potential to serve as academic role models and lead advances in their field. This grant not only funds Mathur's research on DNA nanoparticles inside cells but also supports her projects to create 3D models of molecules to help students understand their spatial orientation and engage high school students in summertime chemistry research.
Mathur's research on DNA nanoparticles inside cells could lead to a better understanding of their behavior, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic applications. The concept of using programmable DNA nanoparticles for targeted delivery shares similarities with other researchers' efforts, aiming to improve the specificity and efficiency of therapeutic interventions.
David Gerdes, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, stated that Mathur's work is a great example of fundamental science with potential applications in gene therapy. Mathur's undergraduate, Sara Desai, received the Barry Goldwater scholarship earlier this year, further highlighting the impact of Mathur's research on young scientists.
Mathur's DNA nanoparticles could potentially be designed with an attachment to target specific kinds of cells, making them a promising tool for targeted gene therapy. As Mathur continues her research, she aims to study how these nanoparticles interact with proteins inside cells, further advancing our understanding of these promising new tools in gene therapy.
- Divita Mathur's groundbreaking research on synthetic DNA nanoparticles in health-and-wellness, particularly in gene therapy and targeted cell delivery, holds potential for education-and-self-development, as her work on 3D models of molecules aims to help students understand spatial orientation.
- Therapies-and-treatments in medical-conditions could be revolutionized with the targeted delivery of programmable DNA nanoparticles, as they can be designed to carry genetic information and directed to specific cellular destinations, potentially overcoming current limitations in gene therapy delivery systems.
- To further advance technology and our understanding of these DNA nanoparticles, Divita Mathur plans to use her NSF CAREER grant to study their behavior inside cells and attach a fluorescent molecule to them for observation within living cells, incorporating single-cell injections and microscopy for tracking and observation over time.
