Construction of bacteriophage nanoparticles for targeted delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The research proposed in this application is for the development of a platform technology for the delivery of therapeutic genes to commensal bacteria associated with the human body The successful development of the technology will result in the creation of a vehicle for the delivery of genes to bacteria inhabiting specific areas of the body transforming the bacteria into localized andquot therapeutic factoriesandquot The research objectives include the targeted delivery of nucleic acids encoding reporter genes therapeutic proteins or regulatory RNA to both Gram negative and Gram positive organisms Proof of concept studies will demonstrate the flexibility and utility of the platform and the delivery of therapeutic immunomodulatory genes in vivo using a mouse model The platform technology has the advantage of being adaptable stable and cost effective and has broad application to human health including treatment of chronic disease conditions immunotherapy and vaccine development PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The research proposed in this application is for the development of a platform technology for the delivery of therapeutic genes to commensal bacteria associated with the human body The successful development of the technology will result in the creation of a vehicle for the delivery of genes to bacteria inhabiting specific areas of the body transforming the bacteria into localized andquot therapeutic factoriesandquot The platform technology has the advantage of being adaptable stable and cost effective and has broad application to human health including treatment of chronic disease conditions immunotherapy and vaccine development