Abstract

In-Space Produced Janus Base Nanomaterials for Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Solid Tumors

Yupeng Chen, Associate Professor, University of Connecticut

There is a significant need for novel nanomaterials and their fabrication methods for emerging biomedical applications, such as drug and RNA delivery. Although lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been approved for RNA delivery, they exhibit unsatisfactory stability at ambient temperature and high liver accumulation, which limits their applications. To address these issues, we have successfully developed a new family of DNA-inspired Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs). These can form rod-shaped nanoparticles, which are slimmer than spherical LNPs, and successfully deliver therapeutic cargoes into “hard-to-penetrate” tissues, including articular cartilage and certain matrix-rich solid tumors. Our JBNs are formed through controlled self-assembly processes in water and remain stable at ambient temperature, both before and after cargo loading, making them highly suitable for in-space production. Preliminary results have demonstrated that JBNs can be successfully fabricated in space, where microgravity significantly enhances the self-assembly of JBNs, thereby improving drug loading and uniformity. This enhancement could enable maximum therapeutic efficacy with minimal toxicity. In summary, our in-space produced JBNs may offer a revolutionary strategy for RNA and drug delivery to “hard-to-penetrate” tissues, potentially treating diseases such as osteoarthritis and cancer.