Targeted Gene Delivery to Cancer Cells: Directed Assembly of Nanometric DNA Particles Coated with Folic Acid

A synthetic viruslike particle: Monomolecular condensation of a gene into a 30-nm particle was performed by the DNA-templated air oxidation of a cationic thiol detergent to a gemini lipid (depicted in yellow). A folic acid coating was added (in the form of the DNA-binding folate-containing compounds represented schematically by 2) and the resulting DNA particles 1 were shown to be nanometric and stable, and to enter cells through the folic acid receptor.