A quintessential key in nanotechnology and materials science is to self-assemble multifunctional nanoparticles with well-defined properties. Nature has already perfected the self-assembly of various nanostructured molecules and materials. We have turned toward the structures of plant viruses (termed viral nanoparticles, VNPs). These highly symmetrical nanomaterials come in various shapes and sizes, but each species is highly monodisperse. VNPs have a high degree of symmetry and polyvancy. These features render VNPs attractive carrier systems for medical applications. Genetic and chemical engineering can be applied to introduce hundreds to thousands of copies of targeting ligands, therapeutics and imaging moieties. Functionalities can be introduced at the exterior and interior surfaces, and with spatial control. In this presentation, I will highlight the application of engineered VNPs for tissue-specific imaging and drug delivery. Specifically, I will introduce our recent work, which focuses on the study of structure-function relationship studying VNPs of different shapes in in vivo mouse models. Further, I will outline methods for the development of hierarchically organized VNP-networks and their applications in medicine. Acknowledgements:  This work was supported by NIH/NIBIB grants R00 EB009105 and P30 EB011317, a Case Western Reserve University Interdisciplinary Alliance Investment Grant, and a Case Comprehensive Cancer Center grant P30 CA043703 (NIH/NCI).

Plant virus-based nanostructures at the interface of materials science and biology

245th National Meeting (2013)

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