Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ClickGene (Click Chemistry for Future Gene Therapies to Benefit Citizens, Researchers and Industry)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-01-01 bis 2018-12-31
The main goal of the European Training Network (ETN) ClickGene was to develop new materials and methodologies for site-selective genetic engineering by training researchers within an innovative, multi-disciplinary and entrepreneurial environment so that they can meet the challenges facing future scientific leaders in Europe’s industry. Over the four project years, our multidisciplinary consortium provides world-class training to the ESRs in the areas of synthetic click chemistry, nanotechnology, liposomal drug delivery and nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) chemistry. We generated scientific excellence and technological innovation in the areas of gene silencing and epigenetic base detection by generating 1) unique gene silencing tools that interact with DNA in a fundamentally different way compared with current start-of-art-technology on the market, 2) new liposomal and nanoparticle drug delivery agents, and 3) novel fluorogenic probes for epigenetic base detection in high-throughput PCR assays.
These objectives are important for society as this network has trained the next generation of leading scientists in critical research fields that are required to maintain and enhance EU competitiveness in the areas of gene editing technology, nanotechnology, and nucleic acid chemistry. As such, this network has enhanced biopharmaceutical, biodiagnostic, and agricultural EU societal sectors. Secondly, the scientific and technological advantages for developing new tools for gene editing, epigenetic base detection, and nanoparticle drug delivery are all important for mankind and strive toward improving healthcare and the availability of cutting-edge biomedical diagnostics for European citizens and beyond.
1. Developing unique gene silencing tools. We have made significant inroads in this field and demonstrated that small molecule DNA oxidants, alone, can be applied for protein engineering, as potential chemotherapeutic agents, and as recognition elements that bind DNA sequence specifically. We then applied this technology to the development of target-specific gene knockout agents using nucleic acid click chemistry. This effort involved large-scale interdisciplinary collaboration between many of our academic beneficiaries at DCU, Oxford, Munich, and IOCB and industry partners ATDBio and baseclick. We are about to publish several exciting studies showing how this can be achieved and, as such, we believe the ClickGene network has reached a major landmark in the design and development of new gene silencing tools with an alternative mechanism to state-of-art gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9.
2. Liposomal and nanoparticle drug delivery agents. ESRs have engineered exciting new nanoparticle drug delivery agents that respond to external stimuli (e.g. heat and pH). Nano-carrier sizes can be further controlled to allow delivery of specific cargo and we have applied this for the controlled release of anticancer drug molecules developed in this network. Liposomal transfection agents were also investigated, and, in collaboration with our industrial beneficiary LipiNutaGen Srl, the design of specific liposomal carriers that can selectively target human cancer cells was successfully demonstrated.
3. Probes for epigenetic base detection. Our ESRs developed gene targeting probes to localize epigenetic marks at specific sequences. The probe strands were constructed using click chemistry. In a first step, new DNA probes were generated by the Carell group in combination with quantitative PCR to detect single epigenetic fdC (formyl-deoxycytidine) bases at defined positions in the genome. At baseclick, new click chemistry technology was developed and applied to launch a new commercial product for enhanced cell proliferation called the EdU detect Pro kit. ATDBio, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, then successfully developed high-throughput and large-scale production of clickable fluorogenic probes that were applied to triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs). This technology can now be applied to mainstream probe development. Another successful application of new probe technology was demonstrated by the IOCB group when they demonstrated regulation/triggering of cleavage of DNA sequences by restriction enzymes through bioorthogonal transformations in the major-groove.
In sum, the ClickGene ETN was completed at the end of 2018. The results of our research results have exceeded initial expectations and our training programme has made a significant contribution to the ESRs's career development for a prosperous future.