Single-Strand RNA Nanostructures With Paranemic Crossovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nucleic acid nanostructures, particularly those made of RNA, often contain defects such as missing or incorrectly incorporated components, are not replicable, and are not cost-efficient due to their complexity, limiting their practical application.
Innovation Solution
Development of RNA nanostructures comprising single-stranded RNA molecules with paranemic cohesion crossovers and double helices, designed to self-assemble into specific shapes, which exhibit immunomodulatory properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct component strands are used to create complex nanoscale shapes, then structural complexity and functionality are improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to missing or incorrectly incorporated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distinct component strands into a single continuous RNA strand that self-assembles into complex nanoscale shapes. This single-strand approach eliminates the need to precisely assemble multiple separate components, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural complexity and manufacturing precision by maintaining complex structures while simplifying the manufacturing process to avoid component incorporation errors
Solution Approach 2:
The single continuous RNA strand is designed with distinct functional domains and modular repeating units that fold into specific secondary structures. This segmentation within a single strand allows complex functionality to be achieved through controlled self-assembly of predefined modules, maintaining structural complexity while ensuring reliable formation without requiring precise assembly of multiple separate components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct component strands are used to create nanoscale structures, then structural functionality is improved, but device complexity increases making the system less replicable and cost-efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single continuous RNA strand that contains all necessary information to self-assemble into complex nanoscale structures. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need to handle, purify, and assemble multiple separate component strands, thereby improving replicability and cost-efficiency while maintaining structural functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single continuous RNA strand is designed to autonomously fold and self-assemble into the desired nanoscale structure through intrinsic base-pairing interactions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex assembly protocols, multiple purification steps, and quality control measures required for multi-component systems, thereby reducing device complexity and improving cost-efficiency while preserving structural functionality
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 RNA nanostructures demonstrate high stability, cost-effectiveness, and reproducibility, effectively inducing immune responses and anti-tumor activity by stimulating specific immune pathways without causing a cytokine storm.
Implementation Method 1
the ssRNA molecule forms at least one paranemic cohesion crossover... comprises a plurality of regions of double helices and at least one paranemic crossover operably linked between two regions of double helices
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide RNA nanostructure (e.g., comprising one single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecule, wherein the RNA nanostructure comprises at least one paranemic cohesion crossover), as well as compositions and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, such RNA nanostructures are immuno-modulatory (e.g., immuno-stimulatory).