DNA Origami Shell Assembly for Filamentous Virus Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antiviral technologies are inadequate for effectively trapping and occluding entire virus particles due to the limitations of existing protein cages, which are too small, flexible, or structurally unsuitable for encapsulation, and DNA nanotechnology designs often yield objects that do not match virus shapes or assemble with insufficient yields.
Innovation Solution
Development of three-dimensional DNA molecular structures in the form of nanoscale triangular subunits that self-assemble into macromolecular icosahedral or cylindrical shells, capable of encapsulating filamentous viral particles and forming a physical barrier to inhibit infection, using symmetry principles from natural viral capsids and incorporating virus-specific moieties for targeted binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If protein cages are used for viral encapsulation, then the structure provides defined 3D shape, but the cages are too small and cannot effectively trap entire virus particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the encapsulation structure into modular DNA subunits that can self-assemble into larger icosahedral shells. These modular units can be configured in different triangulation numbers (T=1, T=3, T=4, T=7, T=13) to create shells of varying sizes, allowing the same basic building block to adapt to different virus particle dimensions through controlled self-assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional DNA origami structures to three-dimensional self-assembling shells by designing triangular subunits with specific edge geometries and stacking interactions. This dimensional transition enables the creation of volumetric encapsulation structures with internal cavities large enough to accommodate entire virus particles while maintaining structural definition.
2Volume of moving object
If DNA nanotechnology is used to create large assemblies, then the molecular mass exceeds one Gigadalton, but the objects are too flexible or skeletal to effectively trap and occlude virus particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by designing specific geometric features at critical locations: beveled edges at triangular subunit boundaries create rigid angular joints, while protrusions and recesses form interlocking connections. These localized structural enhancements at connection points provide the necessary rigidity to prevent flexing and maintain the integrity of the entire shell structure during virus encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite DNA structures by combining multiple triangular subunits with specific geometric features (beveled edges, protrusions, recesses) into a unified icosahedral shell. The composite nature of these self-assembled structures provides both the volume needed for encapsulation and the structural rigidity through distributed interlocking connections throughout the shell.
3Ease of manufacture
If DNA subunits are designed for self-assembly, then the configuration allows macromolecular shell formation, but the assembly yields are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service by designing triangular DNA subunits with inherent self-correcting assembly mechanisms. The specific edge geometries (beveled edges, protrusions, recesses) guide spontaneous self-assembly into icosahedral shells without requiring external intervention or purification steps, allowing the system to self-correct assembly errors and achieve high yields through thermodynamically driven self-organization.
4Manufacturing precision
If existing protein cages are used, then the structure is well-defined, but the cages cannot be easily modified for different viruses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal DNA nanotechnology platform where the same triangular subunit design can be configured into icosahedral shells of different sizes (varying T-numbers) to accommodate different virus types. The modular nature of the DNA subunits allows systematic modification of shell dimensions and surface properties while maintaining the fundamental self-assembly mechanism, enabling adaptation to various virus geometries and sizes.
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 shells effectively trap and neutralize viruses by forming a physical barrier, enabling strong multivalent binding and inhibiting viral infection, with the potential to be adapted for various viruses through modular functionalization.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of said nanoscale triangular subunits to self-assemble in the form of a macromolecular icosahedral shell
Implementation Method 2
one or more DNA strands folded in the form of a nanoscale triangular subunit
Implementation Method 3
the macromolecular cylindrical shell forms a physical barrier to inhibit filamentous viral particle infection of a cell
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to three-dimensional nucleic acid origami nanostructures that are designed to allow for self-assembly of the nanostructures into a larger structure (e.g., cylindrical, icosahedral, etc.) about the surface of a virus particle, and their use in treatment methods.