HypothesisThe use of non-viral vectors for gene therapy is hindered by their lower transfection efficiency and their lacking of self-track ability.ExperimentsThis study aims to investigate the biological properties of halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrid and its potential use as non-viral vector for oral gene therapy. The morphology and the chemical composition of the halloysite hybrid were investigated by means of high angle annular dark field scanning TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity were investigated by standard methods (MTS, DPPH and H2O2, respectively) using human cervical cancer HeLa cells as model. Studies of cellular uptake were carried out by fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we investigated the loading and release ability of the hybrid versus calf thymus DNA by fluorescence microscopy, circular dichroism, dynamic light …