Learning to shoot with a slingshot

A molecular "slingshot" has been created that shoots drugs at the specified target

DailyTechInfo based on the materials of The Engineer: Molecular “slingshot" releases drugs at specific targets

Scientists from the University of Montreal have created a microscopic device consisting of DNA chains, enzymes and resembling a slingshot that shoots drug molecules precisely at a specified target inside the human body. This device, the size of which is equal to one twenty-thousandth of the thickness of a human hair, has "anchors" attached to certain areas of antibodies in the bloodstream, to their constituent molecules having the shape of the letter Y. And a stretched molecule of synthetic DNA acts as a rubber band of a slingshot, sending a drug molecule attached to it to the target in case of conditions corresponding to a pre-programmed "trigger mechanism".

A drawing from an article by Ranallo et al. Antibody-powered nucleic acid release
using a DNA-based nanomachine // Nature Communications, 2017 – VM.

"The main feature of the molecular "slingshot" is that it can only attach to antibodies of a certain type," says Professor Francesco Ricci, "Antibodies of various types are a kind of markers of certain diseases, and by changing the "trigger mechanism" of the slingshot, which is the antibody reaction, we can force this a slingshot to get a drug molecule into a strictly defined target."

The main advantage of the molecular "slingshot" created by scientists is its versatility. In their experiments, the scientists demonstrated working samples binding to HIV antibodies and "charged" with certain nucleic acids. However, recent advances in the synthesis of artificial DNA will allow us to design a "slingshot" that can be charged with molecules of drugs from a fairly wide range.

Currently, researchers are working on creating a kind of library of biomarkers of various diseases, related antibodies and related medications. Using such a library, it will be possible to produce a sufficient number of molecular "slingshots" very quickly, in the structure of which even the individual characteristics of the patient's body will be reflected.

The first tests of the system being created will be carried out on experimental animals. And, if they are successful, such a method of combating diseases can be used on humans, of course, only after conducting appropriate tests. "We believe that such molecular "slingshots" will become a powerful therapeutic weapon that will be widely used in the future," says Francesco Ricci, "Targeted delivery of drugs will increase their effectiveness many times and reduce the number of negative side effects."

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  05.06.2017