Plant Vesicle Nucleic Acid Carrier for Reproducible Cell Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems (DDS) for nucleic acid reagents such as siRNAs, shRNAs, and miRNAs lack a carrier that can reproducibly facilitate the uptake of nucleic acids into cells.
Innovation Solution
A carrier for nucleic acids comprising vesicles derived from plant fruits, particularly from plants in the families Malpighiaceae and Rutaceae, which form a conjugate with the nucleic acids, enabling easy uptake into cells through endocytosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drug delivery systems are used for nucleic acid reagents, then the nucleic acids can be delivered to cells, but the uptake of nucleic acids into cells is not reproducible and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plant fruit vesicles as an intermediary carrier to facilitate the delivery of nucleic acid reagents into cells. The vesicles act as a mediator that bridges the nucleic acid and the cell membrane, enabling reproducible and efficient uptake through endocytosis without requiring complex chemical modifications or transfection reagents
2Ease of operation
If no carrier is used for nucleic acid delivery, then the system is simple, but the nucleic acids cannot be effectively introduced into cells
Solution Approach 1:
The plant fruit vesicles possess inherent properties that enable them to self-assemble with nucleic acids and self-deliver into cells through natural endocytic pathways. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external delivery systems while maintaining simplicity and high effectiveness simultaneously
3Device complexity
If nucleic acids are administered without a carrier, then the administration process is simple, but the nucleic acids are degraded and cannot function within cells
Solution Approach 1:
The plant fruit vesicles provide a flexible membrane structure that encapsulates and protects nucleic acid reagents from degradation. The vesicular membrane acts as a protective barrier while remaining flexible enough to facilitate cellular uptake, thereby maintaining both simplicity and stability
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 vesicle-based carrier effectively holds and introduces nucleic acids into cells, preventing degradation and allowing the nucleic acids to function within the cells, making it useful for gene therapy and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier for a nucleic acid and the nucleic acid form a conjugate
Implementation Method 2
can introduce the thus held nucleic acid into cells through endocytosis
Implementation Method 3
preventing degradation and allowing the nucleic acids to function within the cells
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a novel carrier for introducing a nucleic acid such as a siRNA into a cell. The carrier for a nucleic acid of the present invention includes vesicles from a plant in the family Malpighiaceae, and preferably vesicles derived from acerola. A method for administering a nucleic acid according to the present invention includes forming a conjugate of the carrier for a nucleic acid of the present invention and a nucleic acid and administering the conjugate.