PROTEIN PRODUCING PARTICLES FOR ONSITE DRUG DELIVERY

Proteins have great therapeutic importance. Large scale industrial plants and small scale laboratory experiments depend on the efficiency of protein production systems.

Previously, we developed nanoparticles that act as semi-synthetic cells capable of producing proteins autonomously in response to a physical stimulus. These nanoparticles can be injected into the body and then triggered to produce a protein of interest onsite. Herein, we sought to improve our understanding of these synthetic particulate systems. Specifically, we studied how different fabrication conditions affect the activity of the molecular machines (such as, ribosomes and RNA polymerase) that were loaded into the particles. Furthermore, we sought to improve the protein production efficiency of these systems per unit volume by reformulating the internal `mix` with a new and highly potent composition of amino acids, energy regenerating compounds, ribosomes etc. Finally, the system was designed to synthesize proteins with therapeutic properties to treat cancer. Specifically, we present the toxicity of cell-free produced Pseudomonas exotoxin A, an extremely potent protein which has been investigated as a treatment for cancer.

Developing particles with responsive and therapeutic capabilities can be used for a wide range of applications without the limitations of protein synthesis using living systems.