Molecular design of protein-based nanocapsulesfor multifunctional platforms

蛋白质纳米胶囊是蛋白质寡聚体的自组织复合物，具有纳米级的内部空腔，其三维结构可以完全详细地描述。包括药物和MRI造影剂在内的各种分子被封装在空腔中。这种功能化的蛋白质纳米胶囊被应用于有效的药物输送，在体外和体内生物成像。基于蛋白质的纳米胶囊有可能在获得新功能方面提供特殊优势，这些功能在许多不同的细胞过程中显示出对生化信号的响应性。

The protein nanocapsules are self-organized complexes of protein oligomersand possess nanoscale inner cavities, and the three-dimensional architecture can be specified in complete detail. A variety of molecules including drugs and MRI contrast agents are encapsulated in the cavity. Such functionalized protein nanocapsules were applied to effective drug delivery, in vitro and in vivo bioimaging. The protein-based nanocapsules have the potential to offer special advantages in gaining new functions that show responsiveness to biochemical signals in many different cellular processes.