Nanoparticles Genetically Alter Human Cells

New gene therapy approach could treat cancer and genetic diseases without using modified viruses.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:18am

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An abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays depicting a complex, interlocking network of geometric shapes and organic spirals, conceptually representing the intricate process of nanoparticles genetically modifying human cells.Protein nanoparticles offer a safer alternative to virus-based gene therapies, potentially expanding treatment options for genetic diseases.Michigan Center Today

Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed protein nanoparticles that can genetically modify human liver cancer, kidney, and immune cells grown in lab cultures. Unlike virus-based gene therapies, the nanoparticles do not integrate into the cell's DNA, potentially reducing the risk of harmful side effects like new cancers.

Why it matters

Gene therapy has been successful in treating blood disorders, but using modified viruses as vectors can sometimes lead to dangerous immune reactions or secondary cancers. These protein nanoparticles offer a promising alternative approach that could make gene therapies safer and more widely applicable.

The details

The nanoparticles are made by mixing protein with DNA or RNA, then using an electric field to condense the mixture into tiny particles. After the cells engulf the nanoparticles, the positive charge of the particle coating causes the cell's digestive compartments to rupture, releasing the genetic material inside. This allows the cells to express new genes, like those for green fluorescent protein, without permanently altering their DNA.

  • The research was published in the journal Advanced Materials on April 1, 2026.

The players

Joerg Lahann

The Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering, director of the U-M Biointerfaces Institute, and the corresponding author of the study.

Fjorela Xhyliu

A doctoral graduate of chemical engineering and a co-first author of the study.

Yao Yao

A doctoral graduate of health sciences from the U-M School of Dentistry and a co-first author of the study.

Yeongun Ko

A former U-M postdoctoral research fellow in chemical engineering and a co-author of the study.

Michael Triebwasser

A clinical instructor at the U-M Medical School and a co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“There are a lot of diseases where a protein is missing or dysfunctional due to a single mutation, and we can definitely correct for that by introducing a new gene.”

— Joerg Lahann, Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering, director of the U-M Biointerfaces Institute

“In future studies, we hope to test the nanoparticles' ability to modify human cells with therapeutic genes and identify potential side effects.”

— Fjorela Xhyliu, Doctoral graduate of chemical engineering

What’s next

The researchers plan to further test the nanoparticles' ability to deliver therapeutic genes and monitor for any potential side effects in future studies.

The takeaway

These protein nanoparticles offer a promising alternative to virus-based gene therapies, potentially reducing the risk of harmful side effects like new cancers or dangerous immune reactions. If successful, this approach could expand the reach of gene therapies to treat a wider range of genetic diseases.