A University of Pittsburgh researcher has developed a new technology to generate genetically encoded nanoparticles (GENPs). This can be used to selectively target cells in the body providing a host of novel treatment approaches for a multitude of medical conditions.
Description
Genetically encoded nanoparticles (GENPs) are emerging as a class of highly versatile compounds with a wide array of applications in biomedicine including detecting, treating, or even reversing disease due to their ability to withstand heat or radiation conditions that non-nanoparticle compounds (proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids) cannot. Through the development of GENPs, specific cells can be protected from the impacts of radiation, bacteria, or cancer.
Applications
• Precision protection of specific cell groups from UV or ionizing radiation damage
• Antibacterial nanoparticles
• Anticancer nanoparticles
• Precision medicine
Advantages
While the applications of genetically coded nanoparticles are growing, they still present a challenge in terms of their use in living cells, inhibiting their widespread use in biology and medicine. Challenges include aggregation of nanoparticles or failure to reach the target cell of subcellular structure.
To overcome these challenges, this new approach involves the use of subtoxic concentrations of metals in cells, used to drive protein expression that leads to the formation of the desired GENPs. Through controlling the rate and distribution of nanoparticle production, the risk of aggregation can be reduced, and precision targeting of GENPs will be directed using molecular ‘zipcode’ sequences to ensure GENPs are transported to intracellular targets of interest. This new approach has the potential to widely improve the real-world application of GENPs.
Invention Readiness
In vivo data has shown GENPs can be synthesized in transfected cells. Novel GENPs were synthesized by transfecting various cell types with plasmids encoding gold binding and a reducing peptide and subsequently treated with tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4). Generation of the GENPs and their presence in cells was confirmed with fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. GENPs will be produced to demonstrate how they can protect cells against UV and ionizing radiation damage. GENPs with antibacterial and anticancer properties will also be developed to explore the ability of GENPs to tackle a wide variety of health conditions.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2024118754A2
