Nanovip – Nanotechnology JournalNanocomposite, Nanomaterials, Nanomedicine, Nanometers, Nanoparticles, Nanoporous silicon, Nanoscience, Nanosilver, Nanostructure, Nanostructures, Nanosystems, Nanotech Jobs, Microbiology, Molecules, Nanites, Graphene nanoribbon, Nanoscale, Nanomedicine, Nanometer, Nano-gear, Nanotubes, NanowiresNanotechnology Journal - Nanotechnology Companies Nanotechnology Jobs - Nanotechnology Research

Subscribe via email

Grab our RSS Feed

Novel Nanotechnology Capsule-Based Delivery Method for Protein Therapy Treatments

In order to treat specific diseases, many people undergo the introduction of protein into the bloodstream – a treatment identified as protein therapy. Up till now, protein therapy has only been semi efficient since delivery methods were poor and caused the digestion and breakdown of enzymes before the protease enzymes could reach their specific target. Nanotechnology is being used to change this problem and to improve protein therapy treatment methods via better delivery systems.

UCLA nanotech researchers heralding from the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have created a brand new intracellular protein delivery method through the creation of nanocapsules containing a core with a single protein. The capsule has a thin shell of polymer that can have degradable properties or sustainable properties based on the cellular environment.

This latest nanotech research was published in the January issue of Nature which is currently made available on the Internet. According to Yunfeng Lu, a UCLA professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, proteins have a difficult time when it comes time to cross over the membrane of a cell. Lu explains that the nanotech researchers at UCLA have developed new technology that permits the protein to cross over the membrane of a cell with greater ease so that it can function correctly upon cell entry. Lu identifies this new nanotech discovery as one of the University’s greatest developments.

Nanocapsules are basically containers on a submicroscopic scale made up of an aqueous and/or oily core. Inside the core a single protein exists which is further surrounded by a polymer membrane that is permeable and thin. The entire capsule is roughly seven nanometers in terms of its size. When the nanocapsule enters the cell structure it will temporarily remain within the boundaries of the endosome. The endosome has low pH levels which, in term, trigger actions that cause the polymer skin to degrade and to thereby release the single protein within the cell.

The team of nanotech researchers was led by Yi Tang, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. This novel discovery will permit multi protein delivery to cells with greater efficiency. This protein delivery innovation shows promise, not only for protein therapies but for cellular imaging, tracking tumors, cosmetics, cancer therapies, and vaccines too. Finally, this novel nanotech innovation will improve the safety of protein delivery as well as targeted delivery techniques.