DNA Origami Devices with Molecular Latches for Targeted Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery technologies lack the ability to selectively target specific cell types, often resulting in severe side effects due to non-specific delivery, highlighting the need for novel compositions and methods that enable targeted therapeutic agent delivery.
Innovation Solution
DNA origami devices are designed to sequester therapeutic moieties within their structure, using molecular latches that interact with specific antigens to transition from a closed to an open configuration, allowing targeted delivery to specific cell populations while preventing interaction with inappropriate cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drug delivery technologies are used, then drugs can be delivered to the body, but the delivery is not selective to specific cell types, causing severe side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the drug delivery system into distinct functional modules: a DNA origami structure for precise positioning, molecular latches for selective recognition, and therapeutic cargo compartments. This segmentation enables the system to target specific cell types while leaving other cells unaffected, thereby improving selectivity and reducing side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The molecular latches act as intermediaries between the DNA origami device and the target cells. These latches specifically recognize and bind to antigens on the surface of target cells, mediating the selective delivery of therapeutic agents only to cells expressing the appropriate antigen, thus eliminating non-specific delivery and associated side effects.
2Reliability
If DNA origami devices with molecular latches are used, then selective targeting of specific cell populations is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The molecular latches are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to transition between bound and unbound states in response to antigen presence. This dynamic behavior enables the device to automatically activate only when encountering target cells, achieving high targeting precision without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The DNA origami device performs self-service through the autonomous function of its molecular latches. The latches automatically recognize and bind to their target antigens without external intervention, and the device self-activates to release its therapeutic cargo only when the latches are engaged, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high precision 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 DNA origami devices effectively deliver therapeutic agents to targeted cells while minimizing interactions with non-target cells, reducing side effects and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy by ensuring precise delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a molecular latch that is capable of interacting with an antigen. When the molecular latch is contacted by the antigen, the DNA origami device transitions to an open configuration
Implementation Method 2
able to sequester potentially biologically active moieties within the interior of the device, thereby sterically preventing them from interacting with inappropriate cell populations
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are DNA origami devices useful in the targeted delivery of biologically active entities to specific cell populations.