In a world of negative news, here’s something incredibly hopeful: Scientists at Iowa State claim they have found an “easy to make,” inexpensive, and durable means to possibly “cure” genetic diseases.

On February 6, 2024, Iowa State University reported that Professor Eric Henderson and doctoral graduate Chang-Yong Oh created nanoscale materials from DNA that can convey built-in genetic instructions like a “targeted delivery system.”

Along with seeing great potential for helping those with genetic diseases or in cancer therapy, the scientists say the technology could easily spread.

Here’s how Oh described the process:

“[DNA nanoparticles] are easy to make, inexpensive and durable. Making nanoparticles self-assemble is as simple as heating a mixture and letting it cool, with no special equipment needed,” said Chang-Yong Oh.

In addition, one can easily store the structures as a powder. Owing to the DNA’s incredible stability, it has a very long shelf life.

“DNA is very stable. It’s been recovered from samples more than 1 million years old,” said Professor Eric Henderson.

DNA Nanoparticles as ‘Both the Carrier and the Medicine’

ABC News (see video below) shared the story, calling it a “first-of-its-kind DNA discovery.”

Before arriving at the invention, Henderson spent years working with “DNA origami.” This kind of origami isn’t made of paper, but from self-assembling strands of DNA. Later, he and his fellow researcher shifted focus to find out if those structures could express desired genetic information. After determining it was possible, they moved on to discover that RNA polymerase can transcribe the DNA instructions and create molecules.

With fine-tuning, the DNA nanoparticles could carry out multiple specific functions.

“These structures could be both the carrier and the medicine,” Henderson said. 

A Potential Genetic Cure?

Appearing on Iowa Local 5 News, Professor Henderson was beaming with excitement (see below).

“It’s not just a treatment but a genetic cure to accomplish something nobody else has ever done,” said Henderson. “How often do you get to do something that you’re the absolute first person to do it?” 

According to the interview, scientists can direct the DNA nanoparticles where they want them in the body.

“Not only can they carry things around and find where they need to go, but they can express their own genetic code when they get to the place we want them to go,” Henderson said.

The Nanoparticles ‘Magically Assemble’

As an example, Henderson suggested that scientists could inject the particles into a person with liver disease caused by a genetic error. After traveling to the liver, the particles could edit the person’s genome “to fix that genetic malfunction.”

What’s more, he explained that these unique DNA origami structures are self-assembling. Scientists assemble about 200 parts, then heat and then cool them in a tube. From there, Henderson said, “they all magically assemble into exactly what we want.”

It sounds too good to be true, but last year, the scientist’s research appeared in a peer-reviewed journal, Scientific Reports.

In the comments on the video below, many were concerned the medical industry might squash such a technology.

“The problem is that the medical industry really doesn’t have a financial interest in curing you. You’re worth more to them keeping you on the treadmill of ‘treatment,'” said one person.

Video by Local 5 ABC News:

Featured image: Schematic of a polyvalent DNA gold nanoparticle via Wikimedia Commons