Method for creating intracellular artificial nanostructures in situ

US8338151B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Inventors

• Bing Xu · Newton, US
• Zhimou Yang · Mountain View, US
• Keming Xu · Hong Kong, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2012
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N9/16
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method of creating intracellular artificial nanostructures in situ, which employees a chemical precursor. The precursor does not self-assemble due to the presence of a cleavable motif linked to it. When the precursor comes inside live cells by an uptaking mechanism on the cell membrane, the cleavable motif is then to be removed by an enzymatic action of a first enzyme. Without the cleavable motif, the precursor now engages in a self-assembling process to form nanostructures within the live cells, which may cause formation of a hydrogel. Furthermore, the self-assembling process can be made reversible by employing a second enzyme which puts the cleavable motif back to the precursor, whereby dissolving the nanostructures into solution.