Despite the recent and exciting advances in nanomedicine, only 0.7% of newly developed carriers reach their target locations in vivo, demanding for innovative solutions. One alternative to improve the targeting capacity of nanocarriers is inspired by biological swimmers and machines that abound in nature. The design of “intelligent” artificial systems able to self-propel (swim) in biological fluids and perform complex tasks such as sensing and delivering a cargo on-demand could revolutionize the field. Enzyme-powered nanorobotic devices are able to self-propel thanks to the conversion of a substrate into products, mediated by enzymes, offering high versatility and biocompatibility. A step forward in the field is to control the spatial configuration of enzymes and study its effect in motion behavior, as well as the incorporation of multiple functionalities. In this regard, DNA can offer unique properties as scaffold material for the fabrication of nanostructures, such as site-specific functionalization, sensing and drug delivery, which have been extensively studied by the Host group, led by Prof. Ricci at the University of Tor Vergata (UTOV, Italy). In this proposal, we aim at combining both enzyme-propulsion and DNA nanotechnology to create a new class of biocompatible and biodegradable nanorobotic devices with advanced functionalities including motion, sensing and smart cargo loading and release.
The results arising from this proposal could significantly contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in different disciplines, spanning from chemical engineering to synthetic biology and nanomedicine. Particularly, the development of new nanosystems capable of navigating across biological tissues and perform complex tasks could lead to the development of future biomedical tools, with improved target tissue accumulation, penetration and on-demand drug delivery, resulting in diminished off-target effects and maximized therapeutic efficacy. This would result in more efficient therapies with diminished side effects, therefore reducing costs and improving the quality of life of patients.
Motivated by the above arguments, the main goal of this proposal is to combine the unique versatility and tunability of enzyme-propulsion and DNA technology for the fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable nanorobotic devices with sensing and actuating capabilities.
