ORS8-0090
Sustainable Engineering of Polymer Nanoparticles for RNAi-Mediated Crop Protection and DNA Delivery in Gene Therapies
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
17:25 - 17:40
Room 108
Session Chairs
Kisuk YANG
Minseok KWAK
Presenter(s)
Fernando Carlos Giacomelli (Federal University of ABC - UFABC)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Genetic engineering strategies are increasingly transforming both agriculture and healthcare, yet efficient nucleic acid delivery remains a major challenge. In agriculture, RNA-based biopesticides have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional chemical agents, offering highly specific and environmentally safer pest and pathogen control through RNA interference (RNAi). However, the rapid degradation of RNA under field conditions limits their practical implementation. In medicine, the therapeutic potential of gene-based treatments similarly depends on the efficient intracellular delivery of DNA, which often requires transfection vectors to overcome poor cellular uptake. Polyplexes formed with cationic polymers offer a versatile solution by protecting nucleic acids from nuclease degradation and promoting intracellular delivery. Nevertheless, most current nucleic acid carriers rely on fossil fuel-derived synthetic polymers, highlighting the need for more sustainable alternatives. In this context, we investigated chitosan-derived nanocarriers as renewable and environmentally responsible platforms for nucleic acid delivery. Chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide obtained from crustacean exoskeletons, presents attractive biocompatibility and biodegradability, although its native properties can limit broader technological applications. We demonstrate that chitosan functionalization through quaternization and poly(2-oxazoline) grafting significantly enhances nucleic acid protection, prevents premature degradation of dsRNA under field-relevant conditions, and shows promising performance as a DNA delivery vector for gene therapies targeting ocular diseases. These findings highlight the potential of sustainable polymer engineering to advance both RNAi-based crop protection and nucleic acid therapeutics.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the sponsoring by FAPESP (grant 2021/12071-6). F.C.G acknowledges the fellowship granted by CNPq (grant 303268/2020-4).
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the sponsoring by FAPESP (grant 2021/12071-6). F.C.G acknowledges the fellowship granted by CNPq (grant 303268/2020-4).
