---
title: "Alessandra Cavegn study on plasmid DNA nuclear import at University of Basel; 2.5-fold transfection in vitro, 10-fold expression in mice"
sdDatePublished: "2026-09-04T07:08:00Z"
source: "https://actu.epfl.ch/news/the-first-paper-from-our-sinergia-project-has-just"
topics:
  - name: "genetics"
    identifier: "medtop:20000721"
  - name: "biotechnology"
    identifier: "medtop:20000711"
  - name: "medical research"
    identifier: "medtop:20000737"
locations:
  - "Lausanne"
  - "Basel-Stadt"
---


Alessandra Cavegn study on plasmid DNA nuclear import at University of Basel; 2.5-fold transfection in vitro, 10-fold expression in mice

The first paper from our Sinergia project has just been published! - EPFL

The first paper from our Sinergia project has just been published!

Import & publish the news

Are you sure you want to import this news into ?

This news will be sent to its subscribers.

DNA nuclear import © 2026 EPFL

We are very pleased to share that the recent study led by Alessandra Cavegn in the group of Prof. Jörg Huwyler at the University of Basel on the enhancement of plasmid DNA (pDNA) nuclear import has just been published in the Journal of Controlled Release. In our group, Pauline Skigin contributed to the design of conjugation strategies to functionalize the pDNA nanocarriers with targeting nuclear localization signaling (NLS) peptides.

This study demonstrated a 2.5-fold increase in transfection efficiency, in vitro , when pDNA was co-encapsulated with NLS peptides in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Mechanistic investigations and in vivo experiments highlighted a NLS-dependent enhancement in gene expression, up to a 10-fold increase after 72 h in mice.

Swiss National Science Foundation - Sinergia Grant CRSII-222794

Cavegn, A.; Baumann, K. N.; Wang, D.; Stierli, M. A.; Detampel, P.; Herbster, L.; Beckert, L.; Kapinos, L. E.; Späne, P. M.; Felsch, J.; Kuzucu, E. Ü.; Skigin, P.; Ricklin, D.; Lim, R. Y. H.; Gerber-Lemaire, S.; Huwyler, J. Enhanced Nuclear Import of DNA-Lipid Nanoparticles by Peptide Co-Encapsulation. J. Control. Rel. 2026, 399, 115317.

Source: Group for Functionalized Biomaterials

All Group for Functionalized Biomaterials news

All Basic Sciences | SB news