Nucleic acids for cell recognition and integration

Abstract

The present disclosure provides nucleic acid sequences and nucleic acid delivery constructs comprising 'zip code' sequence(s) that home, target, cross a cytoplasm, and/or cross a nuclear membrane of a target cell (e.g., a diseased cell such as a cancer cell) or cell population (e.g., tissue), and integration sequence(s) that allow for integration of at least a portion of such nucleic acid or nucleic acid delivery system into a genome of such target cell. The present disclosure also provides non-naturally occurring nucleic acid constructs and delivery systems comprising such Zip Code and integration sequences as well as one or more cargo molecules that may be coupled covalently or non-covalently to such nucleic acid constructs and systems. Further provided herein are methods of diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer using the target cell specific nucleic acid constructs and systems described herein.