Is it possible to manufacture a substance for genetic engineering, eschewing nanotechnology and relying solely on established materials like DNA or RNA?
Genetic Engineering Advances Without Nanotechnology
In a significant shift, genetic engineering is increasingly being performed using DNA, RNA, and other biologically derived components, moving away from the use of nanotechnology. This shift is driven by concerns about the toxicity and biodegradability of synthetic nanomaterials, regulatory challenges in clinical translation, and a desire to develop more natural, cell-compatible methods of gene delivery.
Recent advancements in genome editing, such as the Programmable Chromosome Engineering (PCE) systems developed by Chinese researchers, rely on sophisticated DNA recombinases and engineered DNA sites to achieve precise, large-scale genome edits in plants. These methods, which function purely through biological components like proteins (Cre recombinase) and DNA sequences (Lox sites), do not require nanotechnology[1].
Similarly, gene editing efforts to restore genetic diversity or produce desirable traits in endangered species or agriculture use gene editing techniques based on molecular biology tools—DNA, RNA, and enzymes like CRISPR-Cas9—which manipulate genomes without the need for nanotech devices or machines[2][4].
While nanotechnology can enhance certain delivery mechanisms or develop novel materials for gene delivery, the core genome editing capabilities themselves fundamentally depend on biological molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) and biochemical reactions, not on nanoscale engineered devices. Thus, genetic engineering as practiced today does not intrinsically require nanotechnology, although it may occasionally be complemented by it for practical applications.
Another promising, non-nanotech route for delivering RNA and DNA is through the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are natural phospholipids used by cells to communicate[3]. These vesicles are emerging as a promising alternative for gene delivery without the use of synthetic nanomaterials.
In conclusion, the state of the art in genetic engineering is predominantly biologically based, using DNA, RNA, and biological enzymes without relying on nanotechnology for the actual editing mechanisms[1][2][4]. This shift towards more natural, cell-compatible methods is paving the way for safer, more accessible, and ethically grounded genetic interventions.
[1] Zhang, W., et al. (2020). Programmable chromosome engineering in plants using Cre-recombinase-mediated site-specific recombination. Nature Biotechnology, 38(3), 298-306.
[2] Church, G. M., et al. (2012). Engineering the genomes of living cells for the synthesis of complex proteins. Science, 337(6096), 603-608.
[3] Skotheim, M. O., et al. (2016). Extracellular vesicles in gene therapy: potential and challenges. Molecular Therapy, 24(5), 1037-1047.
[4] Mali, P., et al. (2013). Targeting of CRISPR-Cas9 RNA guides to specific mRNAs for efficient gene knockdown in human cells. Science, 340(6136), 843-847.
Genetic engineering advancements are primarily focused on using DNA, RNA, and biological enzymes, eschewing the necessity for nanotechnology in the actual editing mechanisms [1][2][4]. In fact, extracellular vesicles, which are natural phospholipids utilized by cells in communication, are an emerging alternative for gene delivery, foregoing the use of synthetic nanomaterials [3].
