NIR-induced spatiotemporally controlled gene silencing by upconversion nanoparticle-based siRNA nanocarrier

Upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based siRNA nanocarriers for spatiotemporally controlled gene silencing were developed. UV emissions of UCNPs trigger the trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene, thus releasing siRNAs due to unmatched cis-azobenzene − cyclodextrin pairs.182