Protein Fluorescent Nanoparticles via Crosslinking for Biocompatible Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quantum dots used for biological applications are toxic, limiting their widespread use, and alternative materials like gold or silica require biocompatible coatings, making their synthesis complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
Development of protein fluorescent nanoparticles synthesized through crosslinking ordinary proteins with a crosslinking agent, either before or after labeling with fluorescent dyes, to create non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable particles for biological imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quantum dots are used for biological applications, then fluorescent imaging capability is achieved, but toxicity increases limiting widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic, stable quantum dots with biodegradable protein nanoparticles that can be safely eliminated by biological systems. The protein-based particles are designed to be transient and non-toxic, allowing repeated imaging without cumulative toxicity concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite protein nanoparticles incorporating fluorescent dyes within a protein matrix. This composite structure combines the biocompatibility of proteins with the fluorescent imaging capabilities of dye molecules, achieving both safety and functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gold or silica nanoparticles are used as alternatives, then toxicity is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to required biocompatible coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex coating requirement by using proteins as the core material itself. Instead of requiring separate coating steps to achieve biocompatibility, the protein nanoparticles are inherently biocompatible, removing an entire process step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ordinary edible proteins that serve multiple functions: they provide biocompatibility, structural integrity, and can be easily functionalized with fluorescent dyes. This universal approach eliminates the need for specialized coating materials and processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protein nanoparticles are synthesized with fluorescent labeling, then imaging capability is achieved, but synthesis flexibility is improved allowing labeling before or after crosslinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility in the synthesis process by allowing fluorescent labeling at different stages (before or after crosslinking). This dynamic approach enables optimization based on specific application requirements without compromising the overall simplicity of the method.
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 method produces stable, biocompatible, and biodegradable protein nanoparticles with tunable fluorescent properties, enabling efficient cellular imaging and sensing across various pH and temperature ranges, while being cost-effective and simple to scale up.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinking the protein with a crosslinking agent, to thereby form the protein fluorescent nanoparticle
Implementation Method 2
labeling a protein with a fluorescent dye reagent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are stable and versatile protein nanoparticles having a range of tunable fluorescent properties. Such nanoparticles may find utility in biological imaging. Methods of synthesis of such nanoparticles are also disclosed.