Technology Summary

The present invention is a drug delivery vehicle that uses nanoparticles that can be activated via ultrasound (US) to deliver membrane-impermeable cargo directly into cells with spatial and temporal precision. Key to the formation of these particles is a synthetic peptide designed to self-assemble at the surface of a US-sensitive liquid droplet. Utilizing peptide assembly allows for cell-targeted, cargo-loaded nanoparticles to be prepared in a single and mild synthetic step that is conducive to sensitive biomolecules. Fluorous tags transiently mask cargo, including antibodies, to mediate efficient dispersion into the nanoparticle’s ultrasound-sensitive liquid perfluorocarbon core. The invention exploits a physical US cavitation phenomenon to rupture the nanoparticles and allows for direct delivery of loaded cargo into cells, thereby avoiding endocytosis.

Model formulations have been synthesized and initial delivery capabilities demonstrated in cell-based experiments. Prototype samples can be made available.