Delivery of oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticles

A method of inhibiting gene expression comprising:

• administering a composition comprising a dermal vehicle and a spherical oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle, wherein the spherical oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle comprises two or more polynucleotides which are not identical, wherein the spherical oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle has a net negative charge to human skin under conditions wherein the oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle hybridizes to a target polynucleotide and inhibits gene expression, wherein the nanoparticle is from about 5 nanometers (nm) to about 50 nm in mean diameter, wherein gene expression is inhibited by about 10% or more, and wherein oligonucleotides are covalently associated with the nanoparticle at a surface density of at least 2 pmol/cm2.