Conditionally Switchable Nanostructure for Targeted Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanostructures for targeted delivery and interactions are limited by reliance on specific and restricted molecular interactions, which restricts their applications and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A conditionally switchable nanostructure that can assume different configurations based on the coupling state of its coupling sites, altering the accessibility of its binding sites, allowing for versatile interactions and applications such as targeted drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific interaction molecules like aptamers are used for targeted delivery, then the device can enable targeted delivery of biologically active entities, but it restricts the possible applications since the aptamer may bind to two different binding targets
Solution Approach 1:
The nanostructure employs dynamic conformational switching between first and second configurations, allowing the binding site accessibility to change based on coupling site status. This dynamic behavior enables the same nanostructure to adapt to different binding targets and applications by switching configurations in response to different coupling conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the accessibility parameter of the binding site by switching between different configurations. When coupling sites are coupled to their targets, the nanostructure transitions to a configuration where binding site accessibility is modified, thereby adapting the interaction properties without changing the molecular identity of the binding site itself
2Reliability
If a nanostructure uses fixed configuration with binding sites, then it can perform specific molecular interactions, but it lacks the ability to conditionally activate or deactivate interactions for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The nanostructure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic system that can switch between first and second configurations. The coupling sites act as triggers that, when bound to their targets, induce a conformational change that conditionally activates or deactivates the binding site accessibility, enabling controlled molecular interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling sites serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the nanostructure's structural state and the binding site functionality. When coupling sites bind to their targets, they act as intermediaries that trigger the configurational change, which in turn controls the binding site accessibility and enables conditional activation of molecular interactions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a conditionally switchable nanostructure configured to assume a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the nanostructure comprises a binding site that is configured to bind to a binding target, and wherein the accessibility of the binding site for the binding target in the second configuration is different to the accessibility of the binding site for the binding target in the first configuration. Further, the nanostructure is configured to assume the first configuration when none of the coupling sites of the coupling site set is coupled to its respective coupling target and to assume the second configuration when each coupling site of a subset of the coupling site set is coupled to its respective coupling target, wherein the subset comprises at least one coupling site. Additionally, the present technology also relates to a system comprising the nanostructure as well as a method utilizing the nanostructure or the system. Finally, the nanostructure may be comprised in a substance or composition for use as a medicament.