Bacteriophage Nanoparticles for Microbiome Targeted Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids to bacteria within the human microbiome face challenges such as stability, pharmacokinetics, specificity, and safety, limiting their effectiveness and clinical utilization for treating human diseases.
Innovation Solution
Development of bacteriophage nanoparticles (BNPs) engineered to target specific bacteria within the microbiome, carrying therapeutic nucleic acids that are expressed in vivo, allowing for localized delivery and expression of therapeutic proteins or RNA molecules, thereby reducing systemic effects and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids to bacteria in the microbiome, then delivery can be achieved, but stability, pharmacokinetics, specificity, and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the delivery system into bacteriophage nanoparticles that specifically target and deliver therapeutic nucleic acids to bacteria within the microbiome, rather than systemic delivery. This localized approach maintains delivery effectiveness while reducing systemic exposure and associated side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Bacteriophage nanoparticles serve as intermediary carriers that selectively transport therapeutic nucleic acids to target bacteria. The phages act as mediators between the therapeutic agent and the bacterial target, enabling specific delivery while minimizing off-target effects through their natural host specificity.
2Quantity of substance
If therapeutic nucleic acids are delivered systemically, then broad coverage is achieved, but local concentration is insufficient and systemic side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by concentrating therapeutic nucleic acids specifically at the bacterial target sites within the microbiome using bacteriophage nanoparticles. This creates high local concentrations where needed while avoiding dilution and reducing the total dosage required, thereby improving both coverage and precision.
3Ease of operation
If non-specific delivery methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but targeting specificity to specific bacteria is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bacteriophage nanoparticles utilize their natural, inherent ability to specifically recognize and bind to target bacteria through their surface proteins. This self-service mechanism provides high targeting specificity without requiring complex external guidance systems, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving precise bacterial targeting.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The BNPs provide a stable, flexible, and tunable platform for delivering nucleic acids to specific bacterial sites, increasing local concentrations of therapeutics, minimizing systemic side effects, and enabling targeted treatment of diseases by exploiting the commensal relationship between the host and microbiome.
Implementation Method 1
bacteriophage nanoparticles (BNPs) engineered to target specific bacteria within the microbiome, carrying therapeutic nucleic acids that are expressed in vivo
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions for a phage particle are disclosed. The phage particle is non-replicating and includes at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence that is capable of being expressed in a target bacteria. The expressed heterologous nucleic acid sequence is non-lethal to the target bacteria.