Clathrin Coatomer Bio-nanoparticles for Membrane Crossing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nanoparticle technologies face limitations in flexibility, functionality, and ease of fabrication, particularly in forming nanoscale elements that can operate independently without cargo and cross cellular membranes with minimal functionalization, while maintaining stability and efficacy in various biological environments.

Innovation Solution

Development of dynamic bio-nanoparticle elements formed from self-assembling protein molecules, such as Clathrin and Coatomer proteins, which can form minimalist non-cage structures capable of functioning alone or with cargo, crossing cellular membranes, and adapting to different environments, enabling new applications and functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional nanoparticle technologies are used, then cargo delivery capability is achieved, but flexibility and ease of fabrication are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fabricationVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nanoparticle is divided into distinct functional modules: a self-assembling protein cage core and attachable functional elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and flexible recombination for different applications, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protein cage structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural stability, enables self-assembly for easy fabrication, offers cargo delivery capability, and presents surface epitopes for functionalization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, improving both ease of manufacture and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cargo elements are attached to nanoparticles, then delivery functionality is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Functional elements are nested on the surface of the protein cage rather than being integrated into the core structure. This nested arrangement maintains the simplicity of the self-assembling cage while allowing attachment of various functional elements, thus improving functionality without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive functionalization is performed on nanoparticles, then application versatility is improved, but antigenicity and immunogenicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidantigenicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Functionalization is performed locally at specific epitopes on the protein cage surface rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach allows attachment of functional elements while preserving the immunologically tolerant properties of the native protein structure, maintaining versatility while minimizing antigenicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If minimalist non-cage structures are used, then fabrication is simplified, but stability in biological environments may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The protein subunits possess intrinsic self-assembling properties that enable them to spontaneously form stable cage structures under physiological conditions without requiring complex fabrication processes. This self-service capability simultaneously achieves fabrication simplicity and environmental stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle combines multiple protein subunits (heavy chains and light chains) into a composite cage structure. This composite architecture provides both ease of assembly from individual subunits and enhanced stability in biological environments through the cooperative interactions between subunits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

These bio-nanoparticles offer enhanced stability, flexibility, and efficacy in various biological applications, including targeted drug delivery, cellular processes regulation, and CNS access, with simplified fabrication and functionalization, while minimizing antigenicity and immunogenicity.

Implementation Method 1

formed in vitro from a plurality of self-assembling protein subunits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Data Source

PatentUS11235062B2Dynamic bio-nanoparticle elements

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 METAQOR LLC

AI summary

The invention in suitable embodiments is directed to dynamic bio-nanoparticle elements and bio-nanoparticle platforms employing such bio-nanoparticle elements. In one aspect, one or more elements of one or more types, formed from isolated, synthetic and or recombinant amino acid residues comprising in whole or in part one or more types of Clathrin and or Coatomer I/II proteins of one or more isoforms, execute one or more functions and or effect one or more ends, in vivo and or in vitro.