RNA Nano-Constructions for Cell Detection and Drug Delivery

BACKGROUND: RNA has been previously demonstrated to assemble into nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes. These nanoparticles are able to carry various non-RNA components, including molecules for specific cell recognition, image detection and therapeutic treatment, making them ideal drug delivery particles. Engineered RNA nanoparticles have been used to target and attack hepatitis B virus, as well as enabling apoptosis in cancer cells.

DESCRIPTION: Researchers at UCSB have developed novel RNA nano-constructions that are assembled with circular RNA nanoparticles or filaments of various sizes through non-covalent loop-loop (kissing loop) interactions. These constructions take advantage of the fundamental structure of RNA to stabilize and constrain the resulting assembly. The possibility of incorporating aptamers within nanorings can add stimuli-responsiveness and/or shape-shifting functionality to the designed RNA assemblies. Further, the nanorings can be designed to self-assemble into more complex nano-constructions such as nanoarrays, nanocages, and nanotubes. Moreover, these nanoparticles can also be designed to include siRNAs for therapeutic gene treatment, and meet the size requirements for drug delivery vehicles. They can also be designed to respond to environmental cues for biological and biomedical applications.

ADVANTAGES: This novel fault tolerance technique is vastly superior to existing EDC solutions, which suffer from high cost and fail to provide adequate levels of resilience. The invention has the following important advantages:

* Ideal size for drug delivery
* Can be functionalized for controlled targeting and efficient attachment of drugs
* Modulable function
* Biodegradable
* Low toxicity

APPLICATIONS:

* Targeted drug delivery
* Gene therapy
* Cell growth surfaces
* Nanocircuits
* Medical implants
* Advanced biological and biomedical testing

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT:

This invention is an experimental stage. In vitro testing has proven quite successful. However, further experimentation in vivo is pending NIH approval.

REFERENCE: 2009-291

Type of Offer: Licensing



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