Lipid-Coated Nucleic Acid Nanostructures for In Vivo Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nucleic acid nanostructures are unstable in uncontrolled environments due to degradation mechanisms such as nuclease activity, cation depletion, and pH sensitivity, limiting their therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Innovation Solution
A nanoparticle comprising a nucleic acid nanostructure core linked to a hydrophobic moiety and coated with a lipid bilayer, where the hydrophobic moiety interacts with the lipid coating, providing protection and stability to the nanostructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If nucleic acid nanostructures are used in uncontrolled environments (in vivo), then they can potentially be used for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, but they become unstable due to degradation mechanisms such as nuclease activity, cation depletion, and pH sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a lipid bilayer shell coating around the nucleic acid nanostructure core. This thin film encapsulation protects the core from environmental degradation mechanisms including nuclease activity, cation depletion, and pH sensitivity, while allowing the structure to maintain its functional adaptability for therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite nanoparticle system combining a nucleic acid nanostructure core with a lipid bilayer shell. This composite structure integrates the functional properties of nucleic acids with the protective and stabilizing properties of lipid membranes, resolving the contradiction between versatility and stability
2Reliability
If a lipid bilayer coating is added to protect the nucleic acid nanostructure, then stability and longevity are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lipid bilayer shell provides a thin but effective protective barrier that enhances stability without adding excessive complexity. The self-assembling nature of lipid bilayers allows for relatively simple formation through hydration and self-organization, reducing the complexity burden despite the added protective function
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the hydrophobic moiety is positioned within the lipid bilayer, then protection from degradation is maximized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic moiety automatically positions itself within the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer through self-assembly driven by hydrophobic interactions. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for external precision control during manufacturing, as the system self-organizes to achieve the optimal protective configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in environmental parameters (hydrophobicity gradients) to drive the automatic positioning of the hydrophobic moiety within the lipid bilayer. This parameter-driven self-organization simplifies manufacturing by relying on natural physical chemistry principles rather than precise external control
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 lipid-coated nanoparticle enhances the stability and longevity of the nucleic acid nanostructure, protecting it from degradation and enabling its use in therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic applications by maintaining its structural integrity in vivo.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrophobic moiety is able to interact with, for example, other hydrophobic moieties such as but not limited to a lipid bilayer that envelops the nano structure core
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides nanoparticles containing a nucleic acid nanostructure, of defined shape and size, linked to a hydrophobic moiety and coated by lipids, compositions comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of producing and methods of using the nanoparticles.