Unexpected properties of polymeric DNA-nanocomplexes synthesized in picoliter droplets

Nucleic acids have emerged as a promising class of drugs but require a safe and efficient delivery system to realize their full therapeutic potential. While non-viral vectors may be safer than viral vectors, the need to improve their delivery efficiencies has provided the impetus to control the structural and chemical properties of DNA nanocomplexes. We have previously shown uniform size distribution of gene-loaded nanocomplexes synthesized in picoliter droplets. This study demonstrated that these homogeneous nanocomplexes reduced cytotoxicity significantly while the therapeutic efficacy was not compromised, which will help pave the way of applying gene as a “drug”.