Micellar systems
View Patent ↗A complex is described that is deliverable to a cell comprising inserting a nucleic acid or other cargo into a reverse micelle. The reverse micelle has the property to compact the nucleic acid for easier delivery.
1. A process for delivering a nucleic acid to a cell, comprising:
a) inserting the nucleic acid into a reverse micelle, wherein the reverse micelle comprises a plurality of neutral, negative, or zwitterionic amphipathic molecules containing reactive functional groups;
b) polymerizing two or more of the amphipathic molecules thereby forming a polymerized reverse micelle; and,
c) contacting the cell with the polymerized reverse micelle.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein at least one of the amphipathic molecules contains a labile bond.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein cleavage of the labile bond disrupts the reverse micelle.
4. The process of claim 2 wherein the labile bond consists of a disulfide bond.
5. The process of claim 2 wherein the labile bond consists of a silicon-heteroatom bond.
6. The process of claim 2 wherein the labile bond consists of an amide constructed from a compound having a substructure of succinic anhydride.
7. A reverse micelle containing a nucleic acid formed by the process comprising:
a) inserting the nucleic acid into a negatively-charged, zwitterionic, or neutral reverse micelle, wherein the reverse micelle comprises a plurality of amphipathic compounds containing reactive functional groups capable of participating in a polymerization reaction; and
b) polymerizing two or more of the amphipathic compounds.
8. The complex of claim 7 wherein at least one of the amphipathic molecules contains a biologically labile bond.
9. The complex of claim 8 wherein cleaving the biologically labile bond disrupts the reverse micelle.
10. The complex of claim 7 wherein the nucleic acid is compacted.