In a recent development, a global team of researchers, including those from Griffith University, has devised a method to manipulate virus assembly using DNA origami templates. This discovery, published in Nature Nanotechnology, could significantly influence the development of novel vaccines and delivery systems.
The international research team focused on the control of virus capsid assembly. Capsids are the protein shells of viruses. The innovative method allowed the researchers to manage this assembly process in a precise and programmable way under physiological conditions.
Dr. Frank Sainsbury and Dr. Donna McNeale from the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery were instrumental contributors to this pioneering research. They utilized user-defined DNA origami nanostructures as platforms for binding and assembly, thereby modifying the shape, size, and topology of virus proteins.
Dr. Sainsbury likened the process to wrapping a present, with the DNA origami structure defining the shape and virus proteins acting as the wrapping paper. The proteins shield the encapsulated DNA origami, providing robust protection against degradation.
Despite the advantages of controlling the size and shape of virus proteins, current tools for programmable manipulation of the assembly process were previously unavailable. The team's novel approach is versatile, applicable not only to various types of virus capsid protein units but also to RNA-DNA origami structures. This development could pave the way for innovative cargo protection and targeting strategies.
The research team is presently striving to deepen their understanding of virus self-assembly and potential applications for encapsulating different cargoes. They recently discovered a virus present in mice that can transport protein cargoes through inhospitable environments into a specific subcellular compartment in human cells.
Looking forward, the team intends to explore the vast array of viruses that could be employed as carriers, hoping to gain valuable insights and push the boundaries of their utility. The next phase of the team's research will leverage their approach to investigate why viruses don't naturally assemble into different shapes. The research, titled 'DNA-origami-directed virus capsid polymorphism,' marks a significant stride forward in the field of nanotechnology.