Scientists have recently developed a molecular “syringe” that can deliver proteins directly into human cells, including cancer-killing drugs and gene therapies. The groundbreaking technology was developed using an artificial intelligence (AI) program called AlphaFold.
Development of the Syringe
The research team modified a syringe-like protein found in bacteria that typically infects insects to create a syringe that can precisely target human cells. The syringes come with a pre-measured dose of protein, providing better control over the dose and half-life of a therapeutic inside cells.
The system has only been tested in lab dishes and live mice and has not yet been tested in humans. However, it could have promising medical applications in the future.
Medical Applications of the Syringe
The syringe can be filled with therapeutics, such as cancer-killing drugs or gene therapies. These proteins are difficult to deliver directly to human cells without causing damage to healthy tissue. But this new molecular syringe allows scientists to inject these proteins directly into diseased cells, precisely targeting them and causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
The syringes could also be programmed to fight disease-causing bacteria within the body. In experiments carried out so far, the syringes have been used to deliver toxic proteins to cancer cells in lab dishes, cut and paste sections of DNA into cells, and insert tiny DNA-snipping scissors into cells.
Development of Nano-Injector for Precise Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins
Another team of researchers has recently announced the development of a nano-injector that can deliver therapeutic proteins, including proteins that can “edit” cell DNA, into human cells. This new technology is based on the Photorhabdus asymbiotica bacterium’s contractile injection system, adapted from injecting into insect cells to injecting into human cells.
The nano-injector has many potential applications, including delivering therapeutic proteins to any cell in the body, including hard-to-reach regions like the brain or lung. The technology can also bind to specific receptors on cancer cells and deliver toxins to kill those cells.
Testing and Future Implications
The technology is still in its infancy and requires further testing, including for immunogenicity in humans. Researchers will also need to characterize the behavior of the system before it can be applied in clinical or commercial settings. However, the development of these molecular syringes and nano-injectors holds significant promise for future medical treatments.
These bacterial syringes could be utilized to deliver treatments directly into human cells, such as nanoscale carriers delivering antibodies into tumor cells. This new technology could pave the way for new and more effective biomedical treatments like cancer and gene therapy.
In summary, these advances in molecular syringes and nano-injectors provide exciting prospects for precise delivery of therapeutic proteins directly into diseased cells. Further research is needed to advance these technologies, but they provide hope for future medical treatments targeting diseases like cancer and genetic disorders.
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