In vitro and In vivo delivery of genes and proteins using the bacteriophage T4 DNA packaging machine

A method comprising:

• (a) exposing cells to a phage T4 DNA packaging machine to bind the phage T4 DNA packaging machine to the cells,
• wherein the phage T4 DNA packaging machine comprises a phage T4 head and a packaging motor assembled on the phage T4 head,
• wherein the phage T4 head is a Hoc−Soc− phage T4 head,
• wherein the phage T4 DNA packaging machine is neck-less and tail-less,
• wherein the T4 DNA packaging machine comprises one or more molecules of foreign DNA packaged in the phage T4 DNA packaging machine,
• wherein there are one or more Soc fusion proteins displayed on the surface of the phage T4 head,
• wherein there are one or more Hoc fusion proteins displayed on the surface of the phage T4 head,
• wherein step (a) results in an internalization of the phage T4 DNA packaging machine within the cells,
• wherein the internalization of the phage T4 DNA packaging machine within the cells causes a release of the one or more molecules of foreign DNA into the cytosol of each of the cells
• and a delivery of the one or more Soc fusion proteins and the one or more Hoc fusion proteins into the cytosol of each of the cells,
• wherein the release of the one or more molecules of foreign DNA into the cytosol of each of the cells causes an entry of the one or more molecules of foreign DNA into the nucleus of each of the cells, and
• wherein the entry of the one or more molecules of foreign DNA into the nucleus of each of the cells causes transcription of the one or more molecules of foreign DNA and over-expression of protein(s) encoded by the one or more molecules of foreign DNA.