Breakthroughs
To make Lykosa a reality, there are a few breakthroughs necessary. Although many individual components of our invention such as the use of antibodies for targeting and liposomes for drug delivery exist, this technology is novel because no one has performed investigations and research required to combine these existing technologies into one synthetic liposome.
Stability and Chemical Integrity
Further research is necessary to ensure the physical stability and chemical integrity of both the liposome and the antibodies, which is crucial to the success of Lykosa.
Specfic SNARE Protein
Further research needs to be conducted to determine the optimal SNARE configuration for membrane fusion between Lykosa and the cancerous cell.
Optimal Size of Liposome
The optimal size of the liposome needs to be explored. Finding the right balance between dispersion effects and cytotoxicity requires further research and testing.
Experiment: Determining the Optimal Liposome Size
1.
Liposomes of various sizes with fluorescent polystyrene nanospheres will be injected into mice for in vivo testing.
2.
The fluorescence in the liposomes can be seen under flourescence imaging as they flow around the body
3.
We will be able to collect the following data:
-liposome circulation time
-travel path
-serum level liposome concentration
4.
From this data, we will be able to determine
-optimal liposome size
-liposome deposition
Fluorescent Polystyrene Nanospheres
Fluorescence Imaging Machine for Mice
The Design Process
Improved White Blood Cell
This idea was an improved white blood cell which would utilize a combination of CAR T-cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors to selectively kill cancer cells.
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Flaws:
- Cancer tumors create inhospitable environments for white blood cells, rendering this idea useless
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100 Nanometer NanoRobot
This idea was to create a nanorobot made out of DNA sheets which would envelop granzyme B and perforin. After it detects cancer cells based off of DNA or RNA aptamers, the DNA sheets would unravel, releasing its contents.
Flaws:
- RNA and DNA aptamers are extremely unstable, making them difficult to implement in vivo.
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- Due to the size of the robot, it must override Brownian motion.
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- The DNA sheet would unravel outside the cell, spewing its contents everywhere and defeating the purpose of a targeted treatment.
Doxorubicin Liposome
This idea was to create a liposome containing doxorubicin, an actuator (kinesin and microtubules), and an actuator controlling device, the clutch. This liposome would be small enough to be phagocytosed into a cancer cell, where the actuator will change the shape of the liposome, releasing doxorubicin.
Flaws:
- The biological response after phagocytosis can be unpredictable, making it difficult to ensure safety and efficacy.
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- Doxorubicin may not be completely removed by the cell and travel elsewhere, affecting healthy cells and ruining the point of a targeted therapy
Here are some of the ideas that we had during our design process which helped lay the foundation of Lykosa.
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