Engineering UCNP Core–Shell Nanostructures for Spatiotemporally Regulated Genome Editing
발표자
양준호 (경상국립대학교)
연구책임자
강유경 (경상국립대학교)
공동저자
양준호 (경상국립대학교), 강유경 (경상국립대학교)
초록
내용
Light-controllable CRISPR–Cas9 systems reduce off-target effects via spatiotemporal control. We report a UCNP@ silica core–shell nanoplatform as a foundation for light-responsive Cas9 activation. Rare-earth–doped UCNP cores generate constant-wavelength upconversion luminescence under near-infrared excitation. To balance optical output and loading capacity, we controlled UCNP core size and mesoporous silica pore size. The nanostructures showed dispersibility, high surface area, and stable luminescence for biomolecular immobilization. The mesoporous silica shell enables small-molecule diffusion, maintains mechanical stability, and photochemically protects the luminescent core, supporting future photocaged biomolecules. Future work will functionalize the silica surface and conjugate PC-Cas9 to build an efficient light-controlled Cas9 system for noninvasive genome editing, advancing optogenetic nanotechnology and spatiotemporally regulated therapeutic gene editing.