У доповіді наведено найвагоміші результати багаторічних експериментальних досліджень, проведених науковцями Інституту біології клітини
НАН України у співпраці з іншими академічними установами, з розроблення та вивчення нанорозмірних носіїв для ефективної доставки нуклеїнових кислот у клітини живих організмів. Отримані результати є важливими
для подальшого розвитку генної інженерії та генної терапії і дають змогу
розширити сферу застосування їх досягнень у біотехнології та медичній практиці. Наголошено на необхідності подальшого розроблення і глибшого вивчення нових нанорозмірних матеріалів для скерованої доставки як ліків,
так і генетичних матеріалів до клітин-мішеней в органах і тканинах.
The most important results of the long-term experimental investigations conducted by scientists of the Institute of Cell
Biology of NAS of Ukraine in collaboration with other institutions of the Academy and universities and addressed on the
development and characteristics of the nanoscale carriers for efficient delivery of nucleic acids into cells of living
organisms are presented in the review. Advantages and drawbacks of the viral (biological) and non-viral (chemical and
physical) methods of gene delivery have been described. The first native non-viral gene delivery systems based on the
comb-like and linear co-polymers with the polyampholytic properties have been synthesized at Lviv National Polytechnic
University. Their ability to deliver genetic materials into cells of organisms of various taxonomic types (bacteria, yeast,
and mammalian) was demonstrated at the Institute of Cell Biology of NAS of Ukraine. In collaboration with scientists
of the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics of NAS of Ukraine, first native polymeric nanocarriers for gene
delivery into plant cells were also developed. The physico-chemical characteristics and biological effects of these gene
delivery systems were compared with those of the polyethylenimine that is a widely used polymeric carrier of the nucleic
acids. The biocompatibility of the developed systems, as well as the lack of their mutagenic activity, were demonstrated.
Due to availability of specific chemical groups in the synthesized polymeric nanocarriers, it is possible to perform an
addressed delivery of different biomolecules, particularly the DNA, that is impossible when using the traditional liposomal
carriers of DNA. This can provide the carriers with ability to conduct addressed delivery of the biologically active
molecules to target tissues with a simultaneous decreasing of their general toxicity and prolonging their therapeutic
action in the treated organism. Thus, the availability of native nanocarriers of genetic materials that can be bought in the
country should enhance gene engineering and gene therapy investigations in Ukraine.