Design and characterization of new resins functionalized with methacrylate-DNA conjugates hybridized with statherin-derived peptide (StN15)-DNA

• Grant number: 21/13657-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Grantee: Tamara Teodoro Araujo
• Supervisor: Karina Midori Mori Carneiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Toronto (U of T), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/08032-5 - Acquired pellicle engineering for protection against caries and tooth erosion: effect of cystatin, statherin and hemoglobin on the proteomic profile of the acquired pellicle, bacterial biofilm and dental enamel, BP.DR

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that the use of DNA goes beyond its biological role. It has recently been used as a building block for materials due to its high specific molecular recognition properties. The desirable molecular properties of DNA, such as base pairing, precise sequence control, repair capability, ease of modification and functionalization, and biocompatibility allow for applications in drug delivery and as scaffolds. DNA nanostructures can range from simple 1D and 2D patterns to intricated 3D DNA nanostructures. Various functional groups and classes of molecules, including fluorescent labels, peptides and polymers can be covalently linked to DNA strands, at regular intervals, to tune the materials' properties for applications in drug delivery, 3D cell culture and tissue regeneration. The present project will present, for the first time, the desirable properties of DNA for dental resins. Thus, it is a highly innovative and promising approach for the release of peptides on the tooth surface, focusing on a preventive strategy for the control of erosive tooth wear (ETW). Therefore, the objective of this study is to carry out the design and characterization of a novel resin functionalized with methacrylate-DNA conjugates hybridized with statherin derived peptide (StN15)-DNA. For the experimental design, the DNA sites will be covalently linked to commercially available methacrylate groups and conjugated Stn15N, through maleimide-thiol conjugation. The new materials will be characterized by the following methods: 1H and 13C NMR, gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and AFM. A functionalized resin will be produced containing DNA strands appended to the resin's skeleton, with sequences complementary to DNA-peptide/protein conjugates StN15-DNA, resulting in a versatile, highly organized, and free from leaching material. (AU)