Nanobomb Composition for Biological Barrier Permeabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering compounds into cells, such as electroporation and laser-induced photoporation, face limitations including high cytotoxicity, size restrictions for delivered molecules, and unsuitability for certain cell types like plant cells, with plasmonic nanoparticles posing genotoxic concerns.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising nanobombs with first particles generating vapor bubbles and second particles acting as nanoprojectiles, which can deform, permeabilize, or perforate biological barriers without direct contact, allowing larger compounds to cross cellular membranes efficiently and safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electroporation is used to deliver compounds into cells, then permeability of the cell membrane is increased, but high cytotoxicity is induced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical field-based electroporation method with a laser-induced photothermal method using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles absorb laser energy and convert it to heat, creating localized thermal effects that permeabilize the cell membrane without requiring high-voltage electrical pulses, thereby reducing cytotoxicity while maintaining delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the delivery system by using nanoparticles with specific optical absorption properties that resonate at laser wavelengths. This allows selective heating of nanoparticles rather than bulk tissue, enabling controlled membrane permeabilization at lower energy levels that reduce cytotoxic effects
2Reliability
If laser-induced photoporation is used to deliver compounds into cells, then permeability of the cell membrane is increased, but the size of deliverable compounds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses near-infrared laser wavelengths (700-1100 nm) that penetrate deeper into tissue and generate larger vapor nanobubbles compared to traditional UV or visible light. This produces larger pores in the cell membrane, enabling delivery of larger macromolecules such as plasmid DNA, proteins, and viral vectors that cannot be delivered by conventional photoporation methods
3Reliability
If plasmonic nanoparticles are used for laser-induced photoporation, then permeability of the cell membrane is increased, but genotoxicity and nanotoxicity concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite nanoparticle systems combining metal cores (gold, silver, or iron oxide) with biocompatible polymer shells (PLGA, chitosan, or PEG). This composite structure provides both the photothermal conversion capability of metals and the biocompatibility of polymers, reducing genotoxicity and nanotoxicity while maintaining effective membrane permeabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biodegradable polymer-coated nanoparticles that break down into non-toxic components after delivering their cargo. The temporary nature of these nanoparticles - they perform their function and then degrade - eliminates long-term accumulation and chronic toxicity concerns associated with stable plasmonic nanoparticles
4Reliability
If laser-induced photoporation is used to deliver compounds into cells, then permeability of the cell membrane is increased, but cells with strong outer cell walls cannot be permeabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-energy near-infrared laser pulses that generate sufficient thermal energy to penetrate and permeabilize tough cell walls of plant cells, fungi, and bacteria in addition to animal cell membranes. The elevated temperature and vapor nanobubble formation provide mechanical force that can breach rigid cell walls, expanding the versatility of the method across diverse cell types
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 nanobomb composition achieves efficient intracellular delivery of exogenous materials by creating pores of varying sizes, overcoming size limitations and cytotoxicity issues, and is suitable for drug, cell, and gene therapies, with reduced risk of nanotoxicity.
Implementation Method 1
the first particle(s) is/are able to absorb electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a vapor bubble
Implementation Method 2
the first particle(s) is/are able to absorb electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
the generation of the vapor bubble causes the at least one second particle to be propelled over a distance D away from the at least one first particle
Implementation Method 4
the second particle(s) is/are adapted to deform at least partially, to permeabilize or to perforate a biological barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprising at least one nanobomb comprising at least one first particle and at least one second particle in close proximity to the first particle. The at least one first particle is able to absorb electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a vapor bubble. The generation of the vapor bubble causes the at least one second particle to be propelled over a distance D. The composition is suitable to alter a biological barrier, in particular, for deforming, permeabilizing or perforating a biological barrier. A method to alter biological barriers is also disclosed.