HOME > Research Results > 2001 > Dramatic increase in efficiency of gene transfer into cells

Update(MM/DD/YYYY):10/04/2001

Dramatic increase in efficiency of gene transfer into cells

-Potential to greatly accelerate research into gene functions and cancer gene therapy-

(Translation of AIST press release on October 4, 2001)

Highlights

The transfer of specific genes into cells is a vital procedure in research into gene functions and gene therapies for cancer and HIV infection. At present, gene therapy mainly involves the use of a virus to transfer genes, but there are problems with pathogenicity and researchers are keen to develop a safer and more effective method.
Gene transfer using liposomes (capsules made from lipids) is convenient and safer than viral methods and is drawing attention as a promising new method; however, the major problem to date has been the inefficiency of the gene transfer process.
AIST and Nagoya City University have developed a new type of liposome using biosurfactants (functional lipids produced by microorganisms). In comparison with previous liposome methods, the new method enables a 50- to 70-fold increase in the rate of gene transfer into cultured animal cells, making it the most efficient liposome method in the world.
Use of the new liposome method is expected to facilitate enormous improvements in gene transfer efficiency and to accelerate life sciences research into gene functions and medical research into gene therapies.

Summary

The Research Institute for Green Technology at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Nagoya City University, have achieved a dramatic increase in the efficiency of gene transfer into cells using a new type of liposome.

The team has developed a liposome that contains "biosurfactants," functional lipids produced by yeast. Compared to previous commercially available liposomes, the new method enables a 50- to 70-fold increase in the rate of gene transfer into a range of cultured mammalian cells. The biosurfactants are extremely practical to use in that they are not toxic to cells at the concentrations used and can be mass-produced from plant oils through a yeast fermentation reaction.

Gene transfer into cells is a vital step when researching or using gene functionality. It is the most fundamental and important technology used in life sciences and medical research today. This new method is expected to facilitate enormous improvements in gene transfer efficiency, to play a part in research into gene applications, and to make a huge contribution to gene therapies for cancer, HIV infection, and hereditary disorders.

▲ ページトップへ