Microalgae-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Tissue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for conveniently produced extracellular vesicles that can be readily delivered to cells and tissues, as existing methods do not efficiently utilize these vesicles for therapeutic delivery.
Innovation Solution
Genetically-engineered microalgae, particularly from the Chlorellaceae family, are used to produce extracellular vesicles (MEVs) that are endogenously loaded with bioactive molecules such as RNA, peptides, and proteins, which are then formulated for targeted delivery to specific tissues and organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mammalian extracellular vesicles are used for therapeutic delivery, then they can deliver cargo to cells and tissues, but they cannot reach certain tissues such as the brain and intestines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using microalgae-derived EVs instead of mammalian EVs. Microalgae EVs naturally exhibit the ability to cross biological barriers and reach tissues like the brain and intestines that mammalian EVs cannot access, thereby resolving the tissue delivery limitation through source inversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the source parameter of EVs from mammalian to microalgae origin. This fundamental parameter change alters the surface properties, composition, and biological recognition patterns of the EVs, enabling them to access previously unreachable tissues while maintaining cargo delivery functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If extracellular vesicles are produced for therapeutic use, then they can serve as drug delivery systems, but existing production methods are not convenient or efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microalgae that can be cultivated using standard photosynthetic growth methods in bioreactors. The microalgae naturally produce and secrete EVs as part of their normal biological function, eliminating the need for complex isolation and purification procedures required by mammalian cell-based systems, thereby greatly simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
Microalgae serve multiple functions: they produce EVs, can be easily cultivated using photosynthesis, and the EVs they produce have enhanced tissue delivery capabilities. This multi-functionality consolidates production and therapeutic benefits into a single system, improving both manufacturing ease and productivity.
3Reliability
If extracellular vesicles are loaded with therapeutic cargo, then they can deliver therapeutics to target sites, but the loading process adds complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microalgae that are genetically engineered to express therapeutic cargo before EV formation. The cargo is produced and loaded into EVs during the natural EV biogenesis process in the microalgae, eliminating the need for post-production loading steps and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges cargo production, EV formation, and cargo loading into a single integrated biological process within the microalgae. The therapeutic cargo is co-produced with the EVs during their natural formation and secretion, combining multiple functions into one unified system that reduces operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are compositions containing extracellular vesicles (MEVs) produced in and isolated from genetically-engineered microalgae, which encode cargo, such as nucleic acids and polypeptides. The MEVs are endogenously loaded by the microalgae with the cargo. The MEVs have a variety of applications as a delivery system for therapeutics, including vaccines, anti-cancer therapeutics, diagnostics, and other such uses. The fate of MEVs upon administration depends upon the route of administration.