Striped Nanoparticles Improve Drug Delivery System
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has achieved a significant milestone by developing fully synthetic nanoparticles capable of penetrating cell membranes without causing harm. This breakthrough discovery opens up new possibilities for targeted drug delivery and has the potential to revolutionize oncology treatment.
Leading the research are Francesco Stellacci, associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Darrell Irvine, the Eugene Bell Career Development Associate Professor of Tissue Engineering. Their team discovered that gold nanoparticles, coated with alternating bands of two different molecules, can effectively enter cells without damaging the protective membrane. In contrast, randomly coated nanoparticles of the same materials failed to exhibit the same cell-penetrating capabilities.
This finding holds great promise for delivering potent oncology drugs directly to tumor cells. Scientists worldwide have been striving to develop nanoscale drug delivery systems for precise targeting within the body. However, they have faced challenges in achieving the desired outcomes. Typically, cells recognize foreign objects and encapsulate them in small bubbles for eventual excretion, preventing effective drug delivery to the cell's interior fluid or cystosol where it can have the maximum impact. The unique feature of gold nanoparticles could potentially overcome this hurdle and improve drug delivery efficacy.
Furthermore, the understanding of biologically derived cell-penetrating materials has remained limited. The striped nanoparticles developed in this study may provide valuable insights into how their biological counterparts, such as peptides, successfully penetrate living cells. This knowledge can contribute to further advancements in the field of cell penetration and enhance future drug delivery strategies.
