1KDK College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Nagpur
*Corresponding Author: Kamlesh Wadher, KDK College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Nagpur
CRISPR-Cas systems revolutionized the prospect of precision medicine by providing a programmable platform for genome engineering. However, safe and efficient delivery of these large, fragile, and immunogenic macromolecular components represents the principal bottleneck to wide clinical translation. While viral vectors raise safety concerns and conventionally used nonviral carriers lack precise control, advanced biomaterials emerged to transform delivery from a passive encapsulation problem into an active, programmable process. A general overview of basic design principles that govern such CRISPR-compatible biomaterials is given within this review. Critically analyzing this field, major findings are summarized thereafter, starting with the key design principles-like biocompatibility, surface chemistry, and the engineering of endosomal escape and nuclear targeting mechanisms. Distinct classes of materials presently employed for this purpose are analyzed, ranging from polymeric nanocarriers over clinically advanced LNPs, inorganic carriers, and localized hydrogel scaffolds to bio-inspired hybrid systems. Other key findings relate to the strategic comparison of delivering CRISPR components in their various molecular forms-that is, pDNA, mRNA, or preassembled RNP complexes-along with their expanding therapeutic applications in oncology, genetic disorders, and regenerative medicine. At the end, technological convergence meets the key translational challenges that must be overcome with AI-driven computational design accelerating carrier optimization. The synergy between advanced materials science and gene editing discussed herein thus forms one key step toward intelligent, responsive, and personalized therapeutics.
Keywords: CRISPR-Cas systems, biomaterials, gene delivery, nanocarriers, non-viral delivery, precision medicine
How to cite this article: Gupta DP, Bondre SR, Khade PS, Harde S, Nasare SO, Pardhi PD, Wadher K., CRISPR-Compatible Biomaterials: A New Frontier in Gene-Responsive Drug Delivery...Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(11s): 856-870; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.11s.86
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None