Inspired by nature, we demonstrate that synthetic and semi-synthetic building blocks can be employed to form well-defined self-assembled architectures that mimic the shape of cells and preserves bio-functionality. Biodegradable building blocks comprising of protein-polymer conjugates and lipid-polymer hybrids form carriers of different shape and size depending on their relative composition. Such engineered architectures are potentially useful in basic biomedical research as well as in advance therapeutics including targeted drug delivery. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a novel protein- based vesicle composed of protein-polymer conjugates that mimic the major viral protein capsids. Similar to virus protein subunits that are assembled in distinct symmetry, we engineered the proteins to mimic such architectures without a need of a template for self-assembly, termed as “proteinosomes”. The protein building blocks are functionalized into two oppositely charged populations followed by PEGylation, which in turn helps them to assemble into small unilamellar vesicles, 70-100 nm in diameter. Alike viruses these proteinosomes are capable of loading small molecules to highly charged nucleic acids in their interior. Besides protein-polymer assemblies, conventional lipid-polymer blends are assembled to form vesicles that have interesting bio-membrane properties. Here we utilize a low molecular weight biodegradable polymer-lipid hybrid membrane that resembles the properties cellular membranes. It provides a favorable environment for membrane proteins to fold and function in a comparably more stable architecture than the corresponding lipid membrane.

Self-assembly of bio-inspired macromolecules: Protein-polymer conjugates and lipid-polymer hybrid towards biomimetic architecture

254th National Meeting (2017)

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