Grant: Idea to Innovation
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
$125,000.00
Synthesis of Folate-Labeled siRNAs (FL-siRNAs) for Specific Tissue Targeting
FY 2023-24
Summary
SiRNAs are gene-silencing oligonucleotides that have an important role in biotechnological applications and for future therapeutics. One of the challenges that remain with siRNAs are their delivery mechanism across cellular cells. Excellent progress has been made with GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides targeting the liver over the past several years. However, the distribution and distinct targeting of siRNAs across other cells lines such as kidney and ovarian cells lags significantly. These types of cells overexpress the folate receptor, and folate is a ligand that binds to the receptor with high affinity for internalization. Via phosphoramidite chemistry, we have synthesized a folate-labeled siRNA that shows efficient gene silencing in HeLa cells, which overexpress folate receptor. The approach to this technology is new and a US provisional was filed in 2022, followed by a PCT in 2023. In this phase of the proposal, we will scale-up and develop folate-labeled siRNAs that target various genes and cell types selectively. This will give researchers access to new tools by providing them with a platform to target cell types that over express folate receptor.
Program
Idea to Innovation
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
586899-2023
Name nom
Desaulniers, Jean-Paul JPD
Department département
Science, Faculty of
Organization id
19222
Institution établissement
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2023
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
125000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1200
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application fr
Avancement des connaissances
Research subject code
6400
Research subject group en
Life sciences research related to human health and disease
Research subject group fr
Life sciences research related to human health and disease
Research subject en
Sciences de la vie liées à la santé publique et aux maladies humaines
Research subject fr
Sciences de la vie liées à la santé publique et aux maladies humaines
Application title
Synthesis of Folate-Labeled siRNAs (FL-siRNAs) for Specific Tissue Targeting
Keyword
delivery; folate receptor; folic acid; phosphoramidite; RNA synthesis
Application summary
SiRNAs are gene-silencing oligonucleotides that have an important role in biotechnological applications and for future therapeutics. One of the challenges that remain with siRNAs are their delivery mechanism across cellular cells. Excellent progress has been made with GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides targeting the liver over the past several years. However, the distribution and distinct targeting of siRNAs across other cells lines such as kidney and ovarian cells lags significantly. These types of cells overexpress the folate receptor, and folate is a ligand that binds to the receptor with high affinity for internalization. Via phosphoramidite chemistry, we have synthesized a folate-labeled siRNA that shows efficient gene silencing in HeLa cells, which overexpress folate receptor. The approach to this technology is new and a US provisional was filed in 2022, followed by a PCT in 2023. In this phase of the proposal, we will scale-up and develop folate-labeled siRNAs that target various genes and cell types selectively. This will give researchers access to new tools by providing them with a platform to target cell types that over express folate receptor.
