Targeted delivery system for microbial therapeutics

Abstract

A targeted delivery system for microbial therapeutics, comprising:an encapsulation structure configured to protect microbial payloads from degradation in the digestive tract, wherein the encapsulation structure comprises a material that is resistant to gastric acid but degrades or dissolves under the conditions prevailing at a target anatomical site in the gastrointestinal tract;at least one biosensor integrated into the encapsulation structure, wherein the biosensor is configured to detect one or more specific biomarkers in the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the biosensor is capable of triggering the release of the microbial payload in response to detecting the biomarkers;an external actuation mechanism comprising a magnetically responsive component, wherein the magnetically responsive component enables controlled manipulation and positioning of the encapsulation structure within the gastrointestinal tract through the application of an external magnetic field; a microcontroller in communication with the biosensor and the external actuation mechanism, wherein the microcontroller is configured to coordinate the release of the microbial payload based on the sensor input and / or the positioning of the encapsulation structure within the gastrointestinal tract;

Claims

[1] A targeted delivery system for microbial therapeutics, consisting of: an encapsulation structure configured to protect microbial payloads from degradation in the digestive tract, the encapsulation structure comprising a material that is resistant to gastric acid but degrades or dissolves under the conditions prevailing at a target anatomical site in the gastrointestinal tract; at least one biosensor integrated into the encapsulation structure, the biosensor being configured to detect one or more specific biomarkers in the gastrointestinal tract, the biosensor being capable of triggering the release of the microbial payload in response to the detection of the biomarkers; an external actuation mechanism comprising a magnetically responsive component, wherein the magnetically responsive component enables controlled manipulation and positioning of the encapsulation structure within the gastrointestinal tract through the application of an external magnetic field; a microcontroller in communication with the biosensor and the external actuation mechanism, wherein the microcontroller is configured to coordinate the release of the microbial payload based on the sensor input and / or the positioning of the encapsulation structure within the gastrointestinal tract. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the capsule structure comprises a pH-sensitive polymer that dissolves at a pH above 5.5, thereby releasing the microbial payload in the small intestine or colon. [3] The system of claim 2, wherein the pH-sensitive polymer comprises one or more of the following materials: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), Eudragit or chitosan. [4] The system of claim 4, wherein the biosensor comprises a biological component selected from the group consisting of antibodies, aptamers, and nucleic acid-based probes that specifically bind to the detected biomarkers or metabolites, and the binding event triggers the release of the microbial payload. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the microbial payload comprises live probiotic strains, genetically modified microorganisms, or synthetic biology-based microorganisms capable of producing therapeutic molecules or exerting beneficial effects on the host's gastrointestinal environment. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the external actuation mechanism further comprises an external magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field of variable strength and direction, thereby enabling real-time control of the movement and localization of the capsular structure within the gastrointestinal tract. [7] The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to receive real-time feedback from the biosensor and, based on that feedback, adjust the release of the microbial payload, thereby enabling adaptive drug delivery based on the environmental conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. [8] The system of claim 7, wherein the release of the microbial payload is further modulated by the microcontroller based on the position of the encapsulation structure in the gastrointestinal tract, the position being determined by the application of the external magnetic field and the real-time tracking of the encapsulation structure.

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