Coding, Decoding and Retrieving a Message Using DNA: An Experience from a Brazilian Center Research on DNA Data Storage.

DNA data storage based on synthetic oligonucleotides is a major attraction due to the possibility of storage over long periods. Nowadays, the quantity of data generated has been growing exponentially, and the storage capacity needs to keep pace with the growth caused by new technologies and globalization. Since DNA can hold a large amount of information with a high density and remains stable for hundreds of years, this technology offers a solution for current long-term data centers by reducing energy consumption and physical storage space. Currently, research institutes, technology companies, and universities are making significant efforts to meet the growing need for data storage. DNA data storage is a promising field, especially with the advancement of sequencing techniques and equipment, which now make it possible to read genomes (i.e., to retrieve the information) and process this data easily. To overcome the challenges associated with developing new technologies for DNA data storage, a message encoding and decoding exercise was conducted at a Brazilian research center. The exercise performed consisted of synthesizing oligonucleotides by the phosphoramidite route. An encoded message, using a coding scheme that adheres to DNA sequence constraints, was synthesized. After synthesis, the oligonucleotide was sequenced and decoded, and the information was fully recovered.

Sugar-based colloidal nanocarriers for topical meglumine antimoniate application to cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment: Ex vivo cutaneous retention and in vivo evaluation.

The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites from Leishmania species. Effectiveness therapies for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the most common form, are still needed to be developed since the available drugs such as meglumine antimoniate (MA) present severe adverse reactions. Here, we develop and characterize maltodextrin polymeric colloidal nanocarriers containing MA (PCN-MA) for topical CL treatment. PCN-MA is composed of 5 to 8% maltodextrin, 0.3% NaCl, 1% MA in 21% of water as aqueous-internal phase, containing or no 3% Kolliphor® P-188, and 10% SF1540 dispersed in a silicone-based external phase. It formed a colloidal system dispersed in silicone with high encapsulation efficiency (87% to 92%) and composite spherical-shaped particles with the smooth and regular surface within the nanosized scale, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Ex vivo cutaneous retention studies using pig ears skin on Franz diffusion cells revealed that the MA cutaneous retention is improved when delivered by PCN. Topical PCN-MA evaluation in murine leishmaniasis model showed similar efficacy than the intraperitoneal injection of the reference medicine (Glucantime®) regarding parasite titer reduction and superior healing activity in terms of collagen area deposition. Our results suggest that this sugar-based PCN is a promising agent for topical delivery of meglumine antimoniate.

Development and characterization of miltefosine-loaded polymeric micelles for cancer treatment.

Miltefosine presents antineoplastic activity but high hemolytic potential. Its use in cancer has been limited to treating cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer. To decrease hemolytic potential, we developed a formulation of miltefosine-loaded polymeric micelles (PM) of the copolymer Pluronic-F127. A central composite design was applied and the analysis of variance showed that the optimum level of hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index predicted by the model and experimentally confirmed were 29nm and 0.105, respectively. Thermal analyses confirmed that miltefosine was molecularly dispersed within PM. Pluronic-F127 PM with miltefosine 80µM presented a significant reduction of hemolytic effect (80%, p<0.05) in comparison to free drug. In vitro assays against HeLa carcinoma cells demonstrated similar cytotoxicity to free miltefosine and PM. Our results suggest that, by lowering hemolytic potential, miltefosine-loaded Pluronic-F127 PM a promising alternative to broaden this drug use in cancer therapy, as well as of other alkylphosphocholines.