Controlling nanocage assembly, towards developing a one-health "plug & play" platform for targeted therapy

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Protein Engineering

Background:

• Protein nanocages, like ferritin, show promise for nanomedicine applications.
• Their natural self-assembly process presents challenges for controlled platform development.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance sustainable manufacturing of nanomedicines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of natural protein nanocages in nanomedicine.
• To discuss the self-assembly process of protein nanocages.
• To highlight engineered ferritin as a "plug and play" platform for nanomedicine development.

Main Methods:

• Review of current understanding of protein nanocage self-assembly.
• Engineering of ferritin subunits to create a novel platform.
• Discussion of AI's role in sustainable nanomedicine manufacturing.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated progress in engineering ferritin for a "plug and play" platform.
• Identified advantages of the engineered ferritin platform.
• Explored implications for nanocage assembly and future applications.

Conclusions:

• Engineered ferritin offers a promising "plug and play" platform for diverse nanomedicines.
• This approach addresses challenges in natural nanocage assembly.
• Potential for broad applications in targeting viruses, cancer, and bacteria.