Nokyoung Park

Title : A RNA producing DNA hydrogel as a platform for a high performance RNA interference system

Abstract:

RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism in which small interfering RNA (siRNA) silences a target gene. Herein, we describe a DNA hydrogel capable of producing siRNA and interfering with protein expression. This RNAi-exhibiting gel (termed I-gel for interfering gel) consists of a plasmid carrying the gene transcribing siRNA against the target mRNA as part of the gel scaffold. The RNAi efficiency of the I-gel has been confirmed by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression assay and RNA production quantification. The plasmid stability in the I-gel results in an 8-times higher transcription efficiency than that of the free plasmid. We further applied the I-gel to live cells and confirmed its effect in interfering with the GFP expression. The I-gel shows higher RNAi effect than plasmids in free form or complexed with Lipofectamine. This nanoscale hydrogel, which is able to produce RNA in a cell, provides a platform technology for efficient RNAi system.
Audience take away:
• The audience will recognize a gel phase transcription shows higher efficiency than normal plasmid
• The presentation will help the audience to design a new type of gene delivery vehicle.

Biography:

(Nokyoung Park (Ph.D.) is an associate professor of Chemistry Department in Myongji University. He got his B Sc in chemistry, M Sc in analytical chemistry, Doctor's degree in bioanalytical chemistry (Ph.D.) at Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea. And he moved to Cornell University to study nucleic acid engineering as postdoctoral research. And based on his research experience in academia, he served as a scientist at Samsung electronics After five years of industrial experience, he returned to academia as a faculty member and currently focusing on the development of novel DNA materials and their applications for multifunctional nanocomposites.)