Nanofiber and nanowhisker-based transfection platforms
AssigneeNanofiber Solutions, LLC
InventorsJed JOHNSON, Doug KAYUHA, Devan OHST
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Abstract
Described herein are electrospun nanofiber structures and compositions configured to serve as TNT-based platforms for the delivery of an agent or cargo, such as genetic material. The structures can include a conductive nanofiber comprising a shell electrospun from an insulating polymer, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of nanochannels therethrough, a conductive element, and an agent contained within the shell. The conductive nanofiber can be configured to deliver the agent when exposed to an electric field. The agent can include a therapeutic agent, a prophylactic agent, or a diagnostic agent.
Claims25
A conductive nanofiber comprising:
- a shell electrospun from an insulating polymer, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of nanochannels therethrough;
- a conductive element;
- and
- an agent contained within the shell, wherein the agent comprises at least one of a therapeutic agent, a prophylactic agent, or a diagnostic agent;
- wherein the conductive nanofiber is configured to deliver the agent when exposed to an electric field.
A method of treating a subject, the method comprising:
- applying an electrospun nanofiber structure to the subject, wherein the electrospun nanofiber structure comprises a plurality of conductive nanofibers, each of the plurality of conductive nanofibers comprising:
- a shell electrospun from an insulating polymer, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of nanochannels therethrough,
- a conductive element, and
- an agent contained within the shell, wherein the agent comprises at least one of a therapeutic agent, a prophylactic agent, or a diagnostic agent;
- and
- applying an electric field to the electrospun nanofiber structure or the subject to cause the electrospun nanofiber structure to deliver the agent via electroporation of cell membranes of the subject.
A method of fabricating an electrospun nanofiber structure, the method comprising:
- dissolving an insulating polymer in a first solvent, wherein the solvent is immiscible in water;
- electrospinning the insulating polymer from an outer needle at a high relative humidity;
- electrospinning a conductive polymer from an inner needle, wherein the inner needle is arranged coaxially with respect to the inner needle;
- wherein the electrospun insulating polymer forms a shell of the electrospun nanofiber structure and the electrospun conductive polymer forms a core of the electrospun nanofiber structure, wherein the core is contained within the shell;
- dissolving the solvent to form a plurality of nanochannels in the shell;
- and
- applying an agent to the electrospun nanofiber structure, wherein the agent comprises at least one of a therapeutic agent, a prophylactic agent, or a diagnostic agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.