The Technology
Electro-static interactions underlie the basis of various biological processes involving the recognition and binding of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins and carbohydrates to each other. For example, alien macromolecules are identified through molecular recognition between an antibody molecule and the intruding molecule, generally denoted antigen. Likewise, ligands such as hormones bind to their cellular receptors and thus activate cellular responses. Characterization of the domain structures involved in protein-protein is crucial for gaining control over such biological processes. Such a characterization can be performed using site directed mutagenesis, or by crystallography of a purified protein in the presence of a labeled ligand. Such experiments often results in determination of the amino acids involved in binding the ligand. However, while the first approach is limited by the specific mutations introduced, the latter approach is relatively expensive due to the need of substantial purification steps of the protein of interest. Most drug molecules are administered using oral or intravenous administration which often result in various unwanted side effects that result from the interaction of the drug molecule with tissues or organs not intended to be treated by the drug. There is thus a widely recognized need for methods of gaining control over biological processes, characterizing domain structures for protein-protein interactions and efficient targeted drug delivery devoid of the above limitations. The developed technology aims at gaining electrical control over biological processes, namely, triggering or suppressing a selected biological pathway by an electronic signal presented to the system. The strategy relies on the selection of antibodies that recognize and bind specifically a set of nano-scale electrodes biased to a certain voltage configuration. A given antibody should bind a given set of electrodes biased to a certain voltage pattern and avoid binding to the same electrode set when biased in a different pattern. The latter pattern may, in turn, attract a different antibody.
Advantages
- Novel method for facilitate activation or suppression of specific biological pathways based on electronically programmable signals
Applications and Opportunities
- Sensors that probe several biological parameters, converting them into electronic signals
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