Self-assembled viruses
A filament-shaped artificial virus is formed by using a preorganized supramolecular nanoribbon as a template. The artificial virus, which is composed of the nanoribbon, small interfering RNAs (blue, double-helix shape), and hydrophobic guests (red), is highly efficient in delivering genes and drugs to the inside of cells. Credit: (C) Wiley-VCH 2008 Viruses are true experts at importing genetic material into the cells of an infected organism. This trait is now being exploited for gene therapy, in which genes are brought into the cells of a patient to treat genetic diseases or genetic defects. Korean researchers have now made an artificial virus. As described in the journal Angewandte Chemie, they have been able to use it to transport both genes and drugs into the interior of cancer cells.