“Review thesis” was published in a prestigious academic journal in the field of nanotechnology

Introduction of the results of analysis of the characteristics and problems of nanoparticles, attracting attention as gene therapy delivery vehicles

Endeavors to develop a drug and gene therapy delivery platform using biomaterials

[January 18, 2024]

<Professor KIM Jeong-hwan of YU  Department of Pharmacy>

KIM Jeong-hwan (34), a professor of YU Department of Pharmacy, published a review thesis in the world's top international academic journal, Nature Nanotechnology (IF 38.3).

This thesis, published in collaboration with Professor KIM's research team and the Oregon State University research team, contains a multi-faceted analysis of the characteristics and problems that should be considered in order to deliver nanoparticles, which are attracting attention as gene therapy delivery vehicles, to target organs.

Existing virus-based delivery vehicles had limitations such as immunogenicity, limited gene encapsulation, and difficulty in mass production, but “lipid nanoparticles,” a non-viral delivery system recently used in messenger RNA (mRNA)-based coronavirus vaccines, have these limitations and the thesis is attracting attention for its effectiveness in overcoming limitations.In addition, excellent clinical efficacy has been confirmed not only as an mRNA vaccine delivery vehicle but also as a gene therapy delivery vehicle targeting the liver.

In this paper, the research team explained the principle by which nanoparticles accumulate in the liver and analyzed the physicochemical properties of various nano-based gene delivery systems. In addition, the anatomical and physiological difficulties of delivering gene therapy targeting organs other than the liver were presented, and the development trends of non-viral delivery systems and prospects for next-generation research were introduced.

Professor KIM said, “Recently, the importance of non-viral gene delivery technology is increasing in the field of gene therapy, which is an advanced biopharmaceutica. The various nanoparticle development strategies presented in this study enable gene delivery to specific tissue cells within target organs. It will be possible to secure a new platform that can be implemented with precision and use it to develop source technologies.”

This thesis, in which Professor KIM Jeong-Hwan participated as the first author, was published on the 27th of last month under the title of “Strategies for non-viral vectors targeting organs beyond the liver” in the online edition of “Nature Nanotechnology (IF 38.3),” a prestigious academic journal in the field of nanotechnology.