Nucleic Acids as Biotools at the Interface between Chemistry and Nanomedicine in the COVID-19 Era.

ABSTRACT: The recent development of mRNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 infection has turned the spotlight on the potential of nucleic acids as innovative prophylactic agents and as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Until now, their use has been severely limited by their reduced half-life in the biological environment and the difficulties related to their transport to target cells. These limiting aspects can now be overcome by resorting to chemical modifications in the drug and using appropriate nanocarriers, respectively. Oligonucleotides can interact with complementary sequences of nucleic acid targets, forming stable complexes and determining their loss of function. An alternative strategy uses nucleic acid aptamers that, like the antibodies, bind to specific proteins to modulate their activity.

SUBMITTER: Borbone N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9031702 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature