Researcher(s)
- Jesal Patel, Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Kevin Solomon, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware
- Akash Vaidya, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Rod-shaped plant viruses are noteworthy nanoparticles due to their advantageous qualities, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. These viruses can be modified with different RNA templates to form virus-like particles (VLPs), allowing for length and RNA delivery control. Moreover, the viral particle surface offers numerous sites for attaching functional ligands. Though this strategy has immense potential for advanced nanomaterials, its progress is hindered as these engineered particles cannot infect and replicate in plant hosts. However, expressing Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus (BSMV) VLPs in E. coli has significantly expanded the possibilities of genetically engineering VLPs
The primary objective of our study is to engineer BSMV VLPs carrying various functional ligands, including CD-40, TLR4, and SpyCatcher, among others. We intend to achieve this by integrating these ligands at the C-terminus of the BSMV capsid protein. Ligands such as CD-40 and TLR4 are attached to the surface of the VLP as they both play a role in immune responses hence crucial in our long-term goal for the designing of next-generation adjuvants/vaccines. We also employ linker optimization when attaching these ligands in order to develop structure-property relationships that can inform rational design. Upon successfully transforming and sequencing the modified DNA, we assemble these ligand-decorated virus-like particles (VLPs). For the fusing of larger ligands, we have set up a platform for modular decoration of the BSMV VLP by either fusing Spytag fusion or Spycatcher tagged ligands. To validate their expression and structural characteristics, utilize advanced imaging techniques, such as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis. This comprehensive approach will enable us to move forward with the potential applications and properties of these designed VLPs.