Patent Application
20220151916
This application is directed towards nanomechanical devices whose functioning is related to conformational bistability of nanoscale oligomeric structures and/or their nanoscale compositions.
Industrial miniaturization of devices and machines is typically carried out by top-down design. The creation of smaller and smaller components and devices is desired, and manufacturing is moving to the nanometer scale from the micrometer scale. Approaching the size of about 10 nm by top-down design, the cost of precise manipulations using macroscopic devices typically increases and may become prohibitively expensive. Alternatively, bottom-up strategies which design functional devices on the nanometer scale from building elements of sub-nanometer (atomic) size may prove beneficial.
Oligomeric machines exhibiting conformational bistability may provide nano-mechanic functionality, afford stimuli responsive control, and enable nanoscale manipulations for various applications including but not limited to energy harvesting, stimuli-responsive mechanical activation, sensing, drug delivery, and biotherapeutics.
In some embodiments, molecular and/or oligomeric machines comprising oligomeric modules are selected and joined so as to exhibit conformational bistability wherein a relative orientation between oligomeric modules may change from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to one or more stimuli.
In some embodiments, an oligomeric machine comprises a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, at least one electric generating element, a substrate configured relative to the at least one electric generating element and the oligomeric chain such that the relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module results in mechanical interaction between at least the second oligomeric module of the oligomeric chain and the at least one electric generating element, and wherein the oligomeric chain is formed such that in response to a stimulus, the relative flexure occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical interaction between the second oligomeric module and the electric generating element, and wherein the mechanical interaction produces a change in electrical voltage associated with the at least one electric generating element.
In some embodiments, an oligomeric drug delivery machine comprises a first oligomeric module, a second oligomeric module connected to the first oligomeric module at a bend or hinge location to form an oligomeric chain, and a therapeutic agent captured between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module wherein the oligomeric chain is configured such that upon application of energy thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module such that the captured therapeutic agent is released.
In some embodiments, an oligomeric machine comprises an arrangement of molecules configured for introduction into a mammalian body, the molecules being arranged and selected such that when exposed to a prescribed temperature, the arrangement performs at least one mechanical function selected from a group consisting of vibrations, extending, rotating, lifting, pressing, ratcheting, springing, and flexing wherein the prescribed temperature is a normal mammalian body temperature and is below a temperature causing necrosis to mammalian cells, such that upon introduction of the molecular arrangement to the mammalian body, the molecular arrangement does not perform the mechanical function until the arrangement of molecules is exposed to a temperature at least equal to the prescribed temperature.
In some embodiments, an oligomeric machine comprises a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bend or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bend or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, a first chemical reagent attached to the first oligomeric module, a second chemical reagent attached to the second oligomeric module, and wherein the oligomeric chain is formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, the first chemical reagent and the second chemical reagent are caused to be drawn into contact with each other and to undergo a chemical reaction.
In some embodiments, an oligomeric machine comprises a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, at least one piston element, a substrate configured relative to the at least one piston element and the oligomeric chain such that the relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module results in mechanical interaction between at least the second oligomeric module of the oligomeric chain and the at least one piston element, and wherein the oligomeric chain is formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, the relative flexure occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical interaction between the second oligomeric module and the piston element, and wherein the mechanical interaction produces a mechanical force.
Oligomeric and/or molecular machines may include devices capable of exhibiting controlled movements at the nanoscale. Some oligomeric and/or molecular machines exhibit conformational bistability wherein these machines, under certain conditions, may be capable of changing between at least two conformations upon application of one or more stimuli. Some oligomeric and/or molecular machines may comprise various components such as oligomeric modules, bending and/or hinge regions, and extenders. Upon application or de-application of one or more stimuli, some molecular machines are configured to perform various mechanical motions such as vibrating, folding, bending, and/or extending. In some embodiments, mechanical motions may be utilized in various applications such as sensing, energy harvesting, drug delivery, and chemical reactions, among others.
Oligomeric machines may be configured to exhibit conformational bistability and may comprise oligomeric modules selected and joined so as to exhibit controllable and/or reproducible conformational changes in response to one or more stimuli. Conformational bistability may be characterized by the existence of at least two distinguishable conformational states wherein spontaneous or reproducible transitions between such states may be controllable by stimuli such as an externally controllable parameter. Non-limiting examples of conformational states include spatial shape or arrangement of a molecular, oligomeric, and/or polymeric material. For example, an oligomeric chain may have a stretched shape or it may be folded into a bent shape. Bistability implies that at least two conformational states are sufficiently stable or metastable for a desired process or application. For example, an oligomeric chain with a stretched state and a bent state may be repeatedly transitioned back-and-forth between the stretched state and bent state by stimuli. Oligomeric machines exhibiting conformational bistability may be utilized for nanomechanical operations. Nanomechanics refers to the movements performed by material structures such as, for example, molecular, oligomeric, and/or polymeric structures on the nanometer scale. The atomic fluctuations of such structures are typically much smaller than the structure size and its movements.
Currently, industrial miniaturization of devices and machines is carried out on the basis of top-down design. At the present, the scale of several tens of nanometers is industrially achievable. At the same time, it becomes clear that approaching the size of about 10 nm by top-down design, the cost of precise manipulations using “macroscopic” devices sharply increases and becomes too expensive in typical batch production. Alternatively, the manipulations by objects of a few nanometers in size should utilize “molecular machines” of approximately the same size. Nanomechanics enables machine-like movements at the nanometer scale using rigid nanoscale materials. Machine-like movement may imply the motion of a “solid” unit, i.e. the movements of rigid structures, wherein atomic fluctuations are much less than the structure's characteristic sizes and the scale of their movements. Since the atomic fluctuations at room temperature are of the order of 1 Angstrom, the minimal size of functional units will generally not be significantly less than 1 nanometer.
Oligomers comprise a few and/or many repeated monomeric units. Oligomers may comprise one or many types of monomeric units. For instance, oligomers may comprise one, two, three, or more types of monomeric units. The types of monomers may not be particularly limited so long as the oligomeric machines exhibit conformation bistability. For instance, monomers may comprise acrylamides, methacrylamides, acrylates, methacrylates, styrenics, alkenes, conjugated monomers, thiophenes, peptides, 2-Isopropyl-N-methylacrylamide, and/or peptoids. In preferred embodiments, monomeric unit comprise N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and/or N-isopropylmethacrylamide (NIPMAm). Some oligomers may comprise an isomer of NIPAm in which methyl and isopropyl groups are replaced one by another (NMIPAm). Oligomers may be synthesized by a variety of methods. The synthesis of oligomers is not particularly limited and some exemplary techniques include iterated synthesis, step growth syntheses, polymerization reactions, living polymerizations, living radical polymerizations, atom transfer radical polymerization, anionic polymerizations, cationic polymerizations, reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerizations, ring open polymerization, metathesis reactions, and/or solid supported synthesis.
Oligomers may be synthesized in a single reaction or multiple reactions. Purification techniques may be used to fractionate and/or separate oligomers by, for example, molecular weight, functionality, tacticity, stereochemistry, and/or regiochemistry. Oligomers may contain more than one monomer type and may have various architectures such as block-co-oligomers, branched oligomers, random-co-oligomers, and/or gradient oligomers. Oligomers may be coupled together through a variety of means such as for instance click chemistry, azo-alkyne chemistry, thiol-ene chemistry, epoxy chemistry, Diels-Alder reactions, chain-end substitutions, and/or may be synthesized together in a single and/or multiple reaction steps. Oligomers may be telechelic. The tacticity may be controlled through various means such as, for example, though catalyst selection, solvent selection, reaction temperature, ligand selection, and/or polymerization reaction selection. The molecular weight of oligomers may be controlled by controlling reaction temperature, monomer concentration, initiator concentration, inhibitor concentration, reaction duration, post synthetic separation, and/or reactions may be quenched. Some exemplary embodiments include oligomers comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and/or N-isopropylmethacrylamide (NIPMAm), Some exemplary embodiments include block-co-oligomers of N-isopropylacrylamide and/or N-isopropylmethacrylamide. Some exemplary embodiments include block-co-oligomers of N-isopropylacrylamide and/or N-isopropylmethacrylamide with one or more isotactic, atactic, and/or syndiotactic blocks. Some oligomers comprise at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, and/or at least 30 monomeric units. Some oligomers have a persistence length of at least 0.5 nm, at least 1 nm, and/or at least 2 nm. Some oligomers may be at least 0.5 nm, at least 1 nm, at least 2 nm, at least 5 nm, and/or at least 10 nm long. Some oligomers may possess a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Some oligomers may possess an upper critical solution temperature (UCST). Bulk poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) exhibits a LCST. The LCST of an oligomer may be different than the LCST of a longer polymer made from the same monomeric units. The LCST of an oligomer may be changed by changing the composition of the oligomer. The LCST of an oligomer may be changed by tuning the ratio of comonomers in an oligomer. Some oligomers may be polydisperse. Some oligomers may be monodisperse. Some oligomers may not possess any significant polydispersity. Some exemplary embodiments may comprise oligomeric fragments of PNIPAm of 20-30 units and PNIPMAm (poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamide) of the same length. Some embodiments comprise block-co-oligomer compositions with a central PNIPAm fragment of 5-15 units and two terminal PNMIPAm fragment of 5-20 units. Such exemplary embodiments may be configured to exhibit two clearly discernible conformational states, one of which corresponds to an unfolded, stretched form of oligomeric fragment, while the other has a folded, bent form. Transitions between these conformational states in these exemplary embodiments implement mechanic-like nano-scale motions of the fragment parts.
Oligomeric modules may be joined together. Oligomeric modules may be joined together during the synthesis of the oligomeric modules. Oligomeric modules may be joined together in a subsequent reaction. Oligomeric modules may be joined together at a bending and/or hinge region. The bending and/or hinge region may be inherent to the oligomeric structure. The bending and/or hinge region may comprise an additional molecular and/or oligomeric structure. The bending and/or hinge region may comprise a residue product from a linking reaction such as, for example, a click reaction, chain-end modification reaction, a thiol-ene reaction, an azo-alkyne reaction, a Diels-Alder reaction, an epoxy reaction, a esterification reaction, and/or a cyclo-addition reaction. A bending and/or hinge region may be flexible. A bending and/or hinge region may comprise, for example, acrylamide residues, methacrylamide residues, ether linkages, ethylene oxide units, peptides, and/or peptoids.
Oligomeric machines may be configured to exhibit conformational bistability and may comprise oligomeric modules selected and joined so as to exhibit controllable and/or reproducible conformational changes in response to one or more stimuli. Such stimuli may comprise, for example, one or more of a change in temperature, a set temperature, an electric field, a magnetic field, a change in pH, an applied force of at least 10 picoNewtons, a prescribed amount of energy, addition of a compound capable of associating with and/or binding the oligomeric machine, a change of solvent and/or co-solvent, and/or a change in ionic strength. One or more stimuli may induce fluctuations back-and-forth between a first and second conformation. One or more stimuli may induce a transition from a first conformation to a second conformation. One or more stimuli may induce a transition from a first conformation to a second conformation, and one or more additional stimulus may induce a transition from the second conformation back to the first conformation. One or more stimuli may induce a transition from a first conformation to a second conformation, and upon cessation of the one or more stimuli, the conformation may transition back from the second conformation to the first conformation. Oligomeric machines may be configured to vibrate stochastically at or near a transition point such as a transition temperature. Oligomeric machines may be configured to vibrate stochastically at or near a critical load and/or power load. A transition temperature may be between 250 K to 400 K, 275 K to 375 K, and/or 300 K to 350 K. A change in pH may be an increase in pH or a decrease in pH. A change in temperature may be an increase in temperature or a decrease in temperature. Some exemplary embodiments may comprise oligomeric N-isopropylacrylamide (oligo-NIPAm) with a length of about 10-15 monomeric units, oligomers comprising an isomer of NIPAm in which methyl and isopropyl groups are replaced one by another (NMIPAm), oligomeric poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamide (oligo-NIPMAm), and/or block-co-oligomers. In some embodiments, nanomechanical motion of a structural element may be realized by initiating a transition between an open conformation and a folded or closed conformation accompanied by movement of rigid molecular fragments. This phenomenon is different from coil-to-globule phase transitions in some PNIPAm polymers. Some exemplary embodiments show the advantages of conformational bistability of rather short oligomers together with reproducibility and mechanic-like motion.
In some embodiments, mechanical properties may be similar to the action of classical nonlinear mechanical systems such as an Euler arch or Zeeman's catastrophe machine. Catastrophe machines are mechanical devices with dynamics that demonstrate the “catastrophes”.
Euler arch which is one of the simplest mechanical constructions with “catastrophic” behavior and consists of two rigid rods (403 and 405) joint by an elastic hinge (404). To demonstrate the “catastrophes”, one edge of an Euler arch is fixed (402) and another edge is compressed by an external force. As the compressing force reaches a critical value, the Euler arch abruptly straightens. When the compressing force increases, the Euler arch shows bistablity with jump-like transitions from a stretched state into a bent state (400 and 401 depict two different bent states). For small pulling forces, the Euler arch remains stretched, however, as soon as the compressing force passes the critical value, the Euler arch is abruptly bent. In the theory of dynamical systems, such sharp changes are known as “catastrophes”. Accordingly, the Euler arch is referred as a “catastrophe machine”. The same catastrophes can be demonstrated by applying a pulling force to the bent arch. The bistablity of an Euler arch is described by a bifurcation diagram of the cusp catastrophe model as depicted by
In some embodiments, cyclic variation of a control parameter near a threshold value may be demonstrated using full atomic computer simulations in a stochastic vibration regime by applying an additional weak oscillating force to simulate stochastic resonance. The cyclic variation of the pulling force near a threshold value Fc=400 pN by applying a weak oscillating electrical field with the amplitude E0 ranged from 0.01-1.00 V/nm and the frequency varied from 50-500 MHz. Stochastic resonance was unambiguously observed under variation of these controlling parameters. An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
Kuhn segments of about 1 nanometer in length joint by a bending or hinge location. The dynamics of oligomeric compositions subject to the action of pulling forces were studied by computer simulation methods. GROMACS molecular dynamics package were used to perform atomistic simulations of oligomeric compositions in water above a transition temperature. OPLS-AA force field in combination with TIP3P explicit water model are used to describe inter- and intra-molecular interactions. The dynamics of oligomeric compositions are characterized by the time dependence of the edge-to-edge distances in the chain. Thermally induced vibrations of the oligomeric compositions are established by fine-tuning control of the pulling force near a threshold value.
Oligomeric machines may comprise one or more extender elements. One or more extender elements may be attached to one end of a first oligomeric module. One or more extender elements may be attached to one end of a second oligomeric module. One or more extender elements may be attached to one end of a first oligomeric module and one end of a second oligomeric module. One or more extender elements may be attached to an oligomeric chain comprising one or more oligomeric modules. Extender elements may be rigid. An extender element may be a rigid molecular structure. Extender elements may be more rigid than the oligomeric modules. Extender elements may have a persistence length at least 1 nm, at least 2 nm, at least 5 nm, at least 10 nm, and/or at least 20 nm. An extender element may be, for example, a DNA fragment, a nanotube, an ionomer, a cationic polymer and/or oligomer, and/or an anionic polymer and/or oligomer. Extender elements may be attached to an oligomeric module via a covalent bond. Extender elements may be attached to an oligomeric module using, for example, click chemistry, a nitrene reaction, a thiol-ene reaction, an azo-alkyne reaction, a Diels-Alder reaction, a nucleophilic reaction, and/or an amide forming reaction. Extender elements may be polymerized off of an oligomeric initiator. Extender elements may comprise an initiator from which oligomeric elements are polymerized.
Oligomeric machines capable of exhibiting conformation bistability may comprise electric generating elements and may be configured to actuate an electric generating element. An electric generating element may be, for example, a piezoelectric element, a nanoparticle, a nanolayer, and/or a nanotube. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that as the oligomeric machine transitions from a first conformation to a second conformation, the oligomeric machine applies a stress to the electric generating element such as, for example, a piezoelectric element. The stress may include a compressive force, a tensile force, or a shear force. An oligomeric machine may be configured to apply a stress to an electric generating element in various ways. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that as the oligomeric machine transitions from a first conformation to a second conformation it applies a compressive stress to a piezoelectric element thus generating a voltage. An electric generating element may be attached covalently or noncovalently to an oligomeric machine. An electric generating element may be attached covalently or noncovalently to an oligomeric machine at a bending and/or hinge location. An electric generating element may be attached covalently or noncovalently to an oligomeric machine at a bending and/or hinge location such that as an oligomeric machine transitions from an open conformation to a closed or folded conformation, the oligomeric machine applies a stress to the electric generating element.
Oligomeric machines capable of exhibiting conformation bistability may comprise photo-absorbing elements and may be configured to change conformation upon absorption of light energy. Photo-absorbing elements may comprise, for example, one or more dye molecules, a conjugated molecule, an aromatic molecule, a semiconducting oligomer and/or polymer, a quantum dot, a nanoparticle, a stilbene moiety, an azobenzene moiety, and/or a bond configured for cis-trans isomerization. Oligomeric machines capable of exhibiting conformation bistability may comprise photo-absorbing elements at one or more bending and/or hinge regions. Oligomeric machines capable of exhibiting conformation bistability may comprise a bond configured for cis-trans isomerization at one or more bending and/or hinge regions such that upon absorption of light, the bond configured for cis-trans isomerization isomerizes thus inducing a conformational change of the oligomeric machine. A bond configured for cis-trans isomerization bond may be incorporated into an oligomeric machine, for example, by a polymerization reaction off of a bifunctional initiator comprising a bond configured for cis-trans isomerization.
Oligomeric machines capable of exhibiting conformation bistability may be configured for sensing of analytes. Oligomeric machines may be configured such that upon binding and/or associating with an analyte, the oligomeric machine changes from a first conformation to a second conformation. Oligomeric machines may be configured such that upon binding and/or associating with an analyte, the frequency at which the oligomeric machine fluctuates between a first and second conformation is modulated. The frequency at which the oligomeric machine fluctuates between a first and second conformation may be decreased or increased. An analyte may be and/or comprise a small molecule, an amino acid, a saccharide, a hormone, an oligomer, a peptide, a metabolic product, a coordinating group, an ion, an aromatic group, a hydrogen bonding donor, and/or a hydrogen bonding acceptor. An oligomeric machine may comprise a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor and/or a FRET acceptor. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a noncovalent interaction between a bending and/or hinge region of the oligomeric machine and an analyte induces a change in the conformation of the oligomeric machine cause a change in the spectroscopic properties of the oligomeric machine. Binding and/or association of an analyte with an oligomeric machine may modulate a FRET signal. Oligomeric compositions a few nanometers in size, which possess the property of conformational bistability associated with thermally activated spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance may be used as detecting units in the design of sensors. A physical mechanism of detection may be based on the sensitivity of spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance of the bistable oligomeric compositions to physical or chemical binding of an analyte to the oligomeric compositions. In an exemplary embodiment, spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance of two oligomeric compositions (oligo-NIPMAm-30 and oligo-NIPAm-20) subjected to attachment of molecular cargo were studied by computer simulation methods. An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
Oligomeric machines may be configured for drug delivery. Oligomeric machines may comprise an imaging agent, a contrast agent, a therapeutic agent, and/or a theranostic agent. Therapeutic agents may comprise small molecule therapeutics, chemotherapeutics, and/or other therapeutic agents. Such therapeutic agents may be covalently bound to the oligomeric machine, noncovalently bound to the oligomeric machine, and/or encapsulated and bound to the oligomeric machine. Oligomeric machines may be configured for administration to a patient. A patient may be a human or non-human mammal. Oligomeric machines may be configured to modulate the biodistribution, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and/or accumulation of the oligomeric machine in particular organs and/or tissues of a patient. Such configuration may comprise the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, antibody targeting, a peptide fragment, a peptoid fragment, and/or a nucleic acid fragment. An oligomeric machine may be configured for controlled release of a therapeutic agent. Controlled release of an agent may include solvolysis of a bond and/or a mechanical force which accompanies a conformational change. For example, a therapeutic agent may be encapsulated in polylactic acid and/or polyglactic acid. A therapeutic agent may be bound to an oligomeric machine through a hydrolysable bond such as, for example, an ester bond. An oligomeric machine may comprise a photo-absorber, such as a dye, quantum dot, and/or nanoparticle. An oligomeric machine comprising an absorber may generate localized heating upon absorption of light. An oligomeric machine comprising an absorber capable of generating localized heating upon absorption of light may be configured such that the local temperature change induces a change in conformation and/or frequency of conformational change in an oligomeric machine. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a conformational change enables the oligomeric machine to grasp and/or bind a target structure, such as a molecule.
An oligomeric machine may be configured to induce, catalyze, and/or inhibit a chemical reaction. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a conformational change brings two or more substrates into a preferred relative positioning for chemical reaction. An oligomeric machine may be configured to activate a bond for rupture. An oligomeric machine may catalyze bond formation. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a change in conformation exposes and/or blocks a catalytic active site. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a first conformation exposes a catalytic active site and a second conformation blocks a catalytic active site. A catalytic active site may comprise a transition metal catalyst and/or an organocatalyst, An oligomeric machine may comprise a catalytic triad wherein a first conformation is configure such that the catalytic triad is in a preferred conformation for catalytic activity and in a second conformation the catalytic triad is in a less preferred conformation for catalytic activity. An oligomeric machine may be configured such that a conformation change causes a bond to be stressed and/or more exposed. A stressed and/or more exposed bond may be activated to undergo further chemical reaction. For example, a stressed and/or more exposed ester bond may be more susceptible to hydrolysis.
An oligomeric machine may comprise a piston type element. A piston type element may be a rigid molecular structure such as a nanotube and/or a molecular structure possessing a persistence length greater that 10 nm. An oligomeric machine may be attached to a surface on one end and a rigid molecular structure on a second end. A oligomeric machine may be configured such that a change in conformation results in a mechanical actuation of a rigid molecular structure. An oligomeric machine may be attached to a surface using, for example, thiol chemistry, silane chemistry, and/or nitrene chemistry. An oligomeric machine may be synthesized on a solid support. An oligomeric machine may be attached to a rigid molecular structure using, for example, thiol chemistry, click chemistry, and/or nitrene chemistry. An oligomeric machine may be synthesized on a rigid molecular structure. An oligomeric machine may be synthesized on and/or attached to a solid support and may comprise an end functionalization configured to bind a rigid molecular structure. A rigid molecular structure may be configured to bind with and/or react with an end functionalized oligomeric machine. In some embodiments, oligomeric compositions of a few nanometers in size, which possess the property of conformational bistability, may be used as power units in an oligomeric machine. A nanomechanical device of the piston engine type with a bistable oligomeric composition that acts as a power unit is depicted in
In some embodiments, PNIPAm oligomers, being of a length about two joint Kuhn segments, may undergo a reversible conformational change when the solute's temperature passes over LCST, thus reproducibly changing mutual orientation of the Kuhn segments in response to an external stimulus. This may be demonstrated using a series of computational experiments. Full atomic GROMACS molecular dynamics package were used to perform atomistic simulations of a NIPAm-oligomer in water solution at temperatures below and above LCST. OPLS-AA force field in combination with TIP3P explicit water model are used to describe inter- and intra-molecular interactions. The conformation of the chain is characterized by its radius of gyration and/or the distance between the chain ends. In an exemplary embodiment, an oligomer may comprise 20 NIPAm monomeric units connected isotactically (named oligo-NIPAm-20).
For some embodiments, 25-30 monomeric units connected syndiotactically is optimal, and it seemingly corresponds to approximately two persistent Kuhn segments. For instance, an oligomer consisting of 15 NIPAm monomers connected syndiotactically (named oligo-NIPAm-15s) does not show conformational bistability in response to temperature change, having gyration radius of 0.97 nm at 280K and 0.98 nm at 320K.
Poly-(N-isopropyl)-methacrylamide (PNIPMAm) is also a thermosensitive polymer that has an LCST at approximately 315K (42C/108F). In some embodiments PNIPMAm oligomers, being of a length about two joint persistent Kuhn segments, may be configured to undergo a conformational change from unfolded to folded states when a solute's temperature passes over the transition point. GROMACS molecular dynamics package was used to perform full atomistic simulations of single PNIPMAm oligomers in water at temperatures below and above LCST. OPLS-AA force field in combination with TIP3P explicit water model is used to describe inter- and intra-molecular interactions. The transition temperature for some oligomers is lower than the LCST for bulk polymers. In some embodiments, it is expected to be between 305K and 310K.
In an exemplary embodiment,
It may be demonstrated that some oligomeric structures do not demonstrate conformational bistability. For example, an oligomer consisting of a block of 21 NIPAm monomers connected isotactically, and a block of 19 NIPAm monomers connected syndiotactically (named oligo-NIPAm-21i-19s) does not demonstrate thermosensitive folding as shown in
In some exemplary embodiments illustrated in
In another exemplary embodiment, an oligomeric machine component comprising two stiff fragments of about 10 isotactic NIPAm units joined by a bending or hinge location of syndiotactic NIPAm is demonstrated. In a preferred three-block oligomeric composition comprising two edge blocks, each of 12 NIPAm monomers connected isotactically, which are joined by the bending location composed of 4 NIPAm monomers connected syndiotactically. This composition is denoted oligo-NIPAm-12i-4s-12i. Below the LCST, the oligo-NIPAm-12i-4s-12i composition exists predominately in a stretched rod-like structure with an average gyration radius of 1.3 nm. Above the LCST, this three-block oligomeric composition folds into an L-shaped lever-like form with an average radius of gyration of 1.05 nm.
In another exemplary embodiment, a three-block oligomeric composition consists of two edge blocks, each of 15 NIPAm monomers connected isotactically are joined by a bending or hinge location composed of 10 NIPAm monomers connected syndiotactically and is named oligo-NIPAm-15i-10s-15i. Below LCST the composition exists as a stretched rod-like structure with an average gyration radius of 1.5 nm, while above the LCST it folds into a V-shaped hairpin-like form with an average radius of gyration of 1.25 nm.
In another embodiment, three-block co-oligomers comprising two rigid blocks are joined by a bending third block. In some embodiments, oligo-NMIPAm fragments, a stereoisomer of NIPAm which methyl and isopropyl groups are replaced one by another, demonstrate high rigidness, and can be used as rigid edge blocks in the composition while oligo-NIPAm fragments may bend, and may be positioned at a bending or hinge location. For instance, a preferred three-block chimeric oligomer may comprise two edge NMIPMAm-blocks each of 10 monomers and are joined by the bending location composed of 7 NIPMAm monomers of isotactic configuration. The composition of this embodiment is denoted 10-7-10-NMIPMA-NIPMA-NMIPMA. In
A nanomechanical device may be configured to act as a nanoforcep or molecular tweezer with an oligomeric composition that acts as a power unit. An exemplary embodiment nanomechanical device may comprise four oligomeric elements with two elements comprising poly(para-phenylene) rod-like segments of 10-20 monomeric units, and each phenyl ring in poly(para-phenylene) modified with short aliphatic chain with an amine group at its end Amine groups in the short aliphatic chains engrafted to the phenyl-rings may be protonated and/or deprotonated.
In a first non-limiting exemplary embodiment, two joined oligomeric modules possess conformational bistability with controlled conformational change. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine component comprises a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end and a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first oligomeric module is joined to the first end of the second oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, and the second end of the first oligomeric module is disconnected from the second end of the second oligomeric modules. The first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module are selected and joined so that a pair of joined oligomeric modules possesses conformational bistability. A relative orientation of the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module spontaneously changes from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to stochastic disturbance applied to the joined oligomeric modules. The relative orientation of the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module repeatedly changes from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to energy applied to the joined oligomeric modules. An oligomeric module may have a length between 0.5 nm and 20 nm. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may define a conformation, and two such stable or metastable conformations may exist. A transition between a first conformation and a second conformation may include relative motion of the first and second oligomeric modules. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 5 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 10 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 15 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 20 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 25 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise at least 30 repeat units. An oligomeric module may comprise poly-N-isopropylacrylamide. An oligomeric module may comprise poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamide. An oligomeric and/or molecular machine component may be configured so as to exhibit a conformational transitional point within 250 K to 400 K. An oligomeric and/or molecular machine component may be configured so as to exhibit a conformational transitional point within 275 K to 375 K. An oligomeric and/or molecular machine component may be configured so as to exhibit a conformational transitional point within 300 K to 350 K. An oligomeric module may comprise a single monomeric unit. An oligomeric module may comprise NIPAm residues. An oligomeric module may comprise NIPMAm residues. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to an application of light energy. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to an application of an electric field. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to an application of a magnetic field. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to a reversible or irreversible chemical reaction. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to a noncovalent interaction. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to a ligand binding, ionic interaction, and/or hydrogen bonding. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to a change in pH. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to an application of heat and/or a change in temperature. The relative orientation of the first and second oligomeric modules may change in response to thermal fluctuations of the surroundings. The first and second oligomeric modules may be selected and joined so as to flex no more than 50% along a length of each oligomeric module. In some embodiments, flexure may be comparable with fluctuations of the atomic structure. In some embodiments, a difference between the first orientation and the second orientation of the oligomeric modules is the variation of distances between the disconnected ends of the modules of at least 0.2 nm. In some embodiments, a force of at least 10 picoNewtons may be applied to transition an oligomeric and/or molecular machine between a first and second conformation. In some embodiments, a transition between a first and second conformation may be configured to exert a force of at least 10 picoNewtons.
In a second non-limiting exemplary embodiment, sub-50 nm co-joined bistable oligomeric modules enable variable flexure. A bistable oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including at least two co-joined oligomeric modules forming an oligomeric chain. Each oligomeric module may be a persistent oligomeric segment with a length from 0.5 nm to 15 nm. A bending and/or hinge element may be located at at least one position of co-joinder between the two co-joined oligomeric modules. The synthetic material may be selected such that an application of a prescribed amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes the oligomeric modules to predictably flex relative to each other at the at least one bending or hinge location. The application of a prescribed amount of energy may include applying variable prescribed amounts of energy to cause a plurality of differing mechanical like motions. The plurality of differing mechanical like motions may include flexure in a first direction and reverse flexure in a second direction and/or opposite the first direction. A variable energy application may be binary and a value of one energy level is positive. A variable energy application may be binary and a value of one energy level is positive and another is approximately zero. The synthetic material may be selected such that application of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes flexure about the bending or hinge location in a first direction, and wherein the application of one more portion of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes a reversal of the flexure about the bending or the hinge location. The synthetic material may be selected such that application of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes flexure about the bending or hinge location in a first direction and wherein cessation of application of the predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes a reversal of the flexure about the hinge location. The synthetic material may be selected such that alternating application of energy levels causes repeated flexure at the bending or hinge location. The length of each oligomeric module may be between 0.5 nm and 20 nm. The bending or hinge location may be located at a weakened location in the oligomeric chain. The synthetic material may be an oligomer and/or polymer. The synthetic material may be selected such that application of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes flexure about the bending or hinge location in a first direction and wherein cessation of application of the predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes a reversal of the flexure about the hinge location. The synthetic material may be selected such that application of a predetermined amount of stochastic disturbance to the oligomeric chain causes spontaneous flexure about the bending or hinge location in a first direction and in the second direction and wherein cessation of application of the predetermined amount of stochastic disturbance to the oligomeric chain causes cessation of the spontaneous flexure about the hinge location. The synthetic material may be selected such that application of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes flexure about the bending or hinge location in a first direction, and wherein the application of one more portion of a predetermined amount of energy to the oligomeric chain causes a reversal of the flexure about the bending or the hinge location. Oligomeric modules may predictably flex relative to each other at a at least one bending or hinge location. Some molecular and/or oligomeric machines may have variable and/or fixed lengths of Kuhn segments, and may not require that relative motion is repeatable.
In a third non-limiting exemplary embodiment, cyclical energy application and de-application causes cyclical oligomeric module flexure. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including at least two co-joined oligomeric modules forming an oligomeric chain and at least one bending or hinge location at at least one position of co-joinder between the at least two co-joined oligomeric modules. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied to the chain, a prescribed amount of relative flexure occurs between the at least two co-joined oligomeric modules about that at least one bending or hinge location to cause a change from a first orientation to a second orientation, and, upon cessation of the applied prescribed amount of energy, the at least two co-joined oligomeric modules return from the second orientation to the first orientation. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a repeated cyclical application and cessation of a prescribed amount of energy, the oligomeric chain flexes repeatedly from the first orientation to the second orientation. At least one of the co-joined oligomeric modules may comprise NIPAm residues. At least one of the co-joined oligomeric modules may comprise NIPMAm residues. At least one of the co-joined NIPAm oligomeric modules may be bound to a rigid molecular structure such as, for example, a nanotube or DNA. At least one of the co-joined NIPMAm oligomeric modules may be bound to a rigid molecular structure such as, for example, a nanotube or DNA. Cyclical application of energy may cause oligomeric modules to flex when energy is applied, and to return to an original position when energy is released or dissipated.
A fourth non-limiting exemplary embodiment may include bistable oligomeric machines with three connected portions, only the center one of which flexes. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise an oligomeric chain having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is located between the first potion and the third portion and the second portion has a flexibility substantially greater than flexibilities of each of the first portion and the third portion. The first portion and the third portion may be oligomeric modules and the second co-joined oligomeric portion may be configured such that when exposed to a prescribed amount of energy, the second portion is caused to flex while the first portion and the third portion remain substantially un-flexed. The first portion and the third portion may be oligomeric modules and the second co-joined oligomeric portion may be a pair of co-joined oligomeric modules configured such that when exposed to a prescribed amount of energy, the second portion is caused to flex while the first portion and the third portion remain substantially un-flexed. The molecules of the second oligomeric module may be chosen and arranged to predictably and repeatedly flex and return in response to application and removal of energy. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise three molecular segments arranged end to end with only the center segment being flexible.
In a fifth non-limiting exemplary embodiment, bistable oligomeric machines may include extender and flex portions formed of differing materials. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine component may comprise a synthetic material including at least a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form a oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, and at least one extender attached to the joined oligomeric modules, the extender being formed of a material different from materials of the oligomeric modules. The material of the extender may be less flexible than the materials of the oligomeric modules. The extender may be connected to a distal end of the second oligomeric module. The extender may be formed of a material different from both the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module. The materials of the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module may be chosen such that upon application of a prescribed amount of energy to the oligomeric chain, relative flexure occurs at the bending or hinge location. The extender may have a length greater than a length of the second oligomeric module. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may further comprise an additional extender connected to the first oligomeric module wherein the extender has a spiral configuration. An extender section may be attached on at least one end of a flexible oligomeric module to enhance functionality of a molecular and/or oligomeric machine. The extender may be formed of different materials than the flexible oligomeric module to allow for variability in length, rigidity, and/or chemical functionalization.
In a sixth non-limiting exemplary embodiment, bistable oligomeric machines may include Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). A synthetic oligomer for a bistable oligomeric machine may comprise a fragment of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) of at least 15 repeating units. The PNIPAm-oligomer may be stereo-regular or stereo-irregular. The PNIPAm-oligomer may comprise regions which are isotactic, syndiotactic, and/or atactic. The PNIPAm oligomer may be such that at least a one-third portion of the PNIPAm oligomer does not flex more than 50% along a length of the at least one-third portion. The PNIPAm-oligomer may have conformational bistability with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied energy. The PNIPAm-oligomer may exhibit thermally activated spontaneous vibrations with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied stochastic perturbations. The PNIPAm-oligomer may exhibit stochastic resonance with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied energy. The PNIPAm-oligomer may be a block-co-oligomer. A block-co-oligomer may be composed of certain portions, each in isotactic, syndiotactic, or atactic form. A PNIPAm-co-oligomer may be selected such that each block of the PNIPAm-co-oligomer composition does not flex more than 50% along a length of the block. The PNIPAm-co-oligomer may have conformational bistability with reproducible change of mutual arrangement of the blocks in response to applied energy. The oligomer may comprise 20 units of NIPAm. The oligomer may comprise 25 units of NIPAm. The oligomer may comprise 30 units of NIPAm.
In a seventh non-limiting exemplary embodiment, bistable oligomeric machines may include Poly (N-isopropylmethacrylamide). A synthetic oligomer for a bistable oligomeric machine may comprise a fragment of Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAm) of at least 15 repeating units. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may be stereo-regular or stereo-irregular. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may comprise regions which are isotactic, syndiotactic, and/or atactic. The PNIPMAm oligomer may be such that at least a one-third portion of the PNIPMAm oligomer does not flex more than 50% along a length of the at least one-third portion. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may have conformational bistability with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied energy. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may exhibit thermally activated spontaneous vibrations with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied stochastic perturbations. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may exhibit stochastic resonance with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomer fragment ends in response to applied energy. The PNIPMAm-oligomer may be a block-co-oligomer. A block-co-oligomer may be composed of certain portions, each in isotactic, syndiotactic, or atactic form. A PNIPMAm-co-oligomer may be selected such that each block of the PNIPMAm-co-oligomer composition does not flex more than 50% along a length of the block. The PNIPMAm-co-oligomer may have conformational bistability with reproducible change of mutual arrangement of the blocks in response to applied energy. The oligomer may comprise 20 units of NIPMAm. The oligomer may comprise 25 units of NIPMAm. The oligomer may comprise 30 units of NIPMAm.
An eighth non-limiting exemplary embodiment may include chimeric bistable oligomeric machines. A synthetic oligomer for a molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a fragment of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) of at least 5 repeating units in the stereo-regular or the stereo-irregular form and at least one other oligomeric fraction other than PNIPAm of at least 0.5 nm in length and/or possessing a persistence length of at least 0.5 nm. At least one portion of the PNIPAm may be such that it does not flex more than 50% along a length of the at least one portion of the PNIPAm oligomer and does not flex more than 50% along a length of the at least one-third portion. The oligomer fragment may exhibit conformational bistability with reproducible change of spatial arrangements of the fragment ends in response to applied energy. The oligomer composition may include three oligomeric modules with two edge NMIPAm-modules each of 10 monomers which are joined by a bending location composed of 7 NIPMAm monomers of isotactic configuration. A chimeric composition may allow for significant customization of the structure and function of a molecular and/or oligomeric machine such as, for example, length, rigidity, and/or chemical functionalization. The oligomer composition may comprise three modules with two edge NMIPAm-modules each of 8 monomers, which are joint by the bending location composed of 5 NIPMAm monomers of isotactic configuration.
Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment may include bistable oligomeric machines configured for mechanical force generation. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, at least one element of a piston type; and a substrate configured with the piston element and the oligomeric chain such that the second oligomeric module of the oligomeric chain is capable of mechanically actuating the piston element. The piston element may be any suitable rigid molecular and/or nanoscale structure such as for instance a graphene nanotube, a nano-wire, and/or a DNA fragment. A bistable oligomer machine may generate mechanical force by transmitting the movements of a bistable oligomer machine to cyclic movement of a piston type element.
Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment may include bistable oligomeric machines for electro-mechanical nano-devices. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module; at least one electric generating element, and a substrate configured with the electric generating element and the oligomeric chain such that the second oligomeric module of the oligomeric chain is capable of mechanically actuating the electric generating elements. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current. The electric generating element may be a piezoelectric element, a nano-particle, a nano-wire, and/or a nano-layer. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to generate a voltage by performing a mechanical action on a piezoelectric element.
Other exemplary embodiments may include bistable oligomeric machines for energy harvesting. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module; at least one light-absorbing element attached to the oligomeric chain at the bending or hinge location, at least one electric generating element, and a substrate configured with the electric generating element and the oligomeric chain such that the second oligomeric modules of the oligomeric chain to ensure the mechanical action on the electric generating elements. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current. The electric generating element may be a piezoelectric element, a nano-particle, a nano-wire, and/or a nano-layer. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to generate a voltage by performing a mechanical action on a piezoelectric element. A light absorbing element may be a dye, a compound comprising aromatic groups, a compound comprising conjugation, and/or a semi-conducting element.
Other exemplary embodiments may include bistable oligomeric machines for sensing. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bending or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bending or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module; at least one chemically specific site disposed in the bending or hinge location of the oligomeric chain for selective binding of a detectable molecule, at least one electric generating element, and a substrate configured with the electric generating element and the oligomeric chain such that the second oligomeric modules of the oligomeric chain to ensure the mechanical action on the electric generating elements. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current. The electric generating element may be a piezoelectric element, a nano-particle, a nano-wire, and/or a nano-layer. The oligomeric chain with a chemically specific site may be formed such that in response to binding of a detectible molecule, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the pressure of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage. A synthetic material comprising a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first oligomeric module to form an oligomeric chain may possess thermally activated spontaneous vibrations with reproducible change of mutual displacement of the oligomeric modules in response to stochastic perturbations. The detecting unit may comprise a NIPAm-20 oligomeric composition. The detecting unit may comprise a NIPMAm-30 oligomeric composition.
Additional exemplary embodiments may include bistable oligomeric machines configured for drug encapsulating and delivery. A molecular drug delivery machine may comprise a first oligomeric module, a second oligomeric module connected to the first oligomeric module at a bend or hinge location and forming an oligomeric chain, and a therapeutic agent captured between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module. The oligomeric chain may be configured such that upon application of energy thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner releasing the captured therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent may be captured between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner impeding degradation of a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent may have a lower affinity for at least one organ in a mammalian body than the first and second oligomeric modules, thereby enabling accumulation of the therapeutic agent in the at least one organ. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may further comprise a targeting agent which targets delivery of the therapeutic agent to at least one organ in a mammalian body. The therapeutic agent may be captured between the first oligomeric module and the oligomeric module segment by a covalent and/or non-covalent bond between the therapeutic agent and the molecular drug delivery machine. The non-covalent bond may be a mechanical bond, a van der Waals bond, and/or a hydrogen bond. The therapeutic agent may be captured between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module by a chemical bond between the therapeutic agent and the oligomeric drug delivery machine. The chemical bond may be a hydrolysable bond and when relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module the hydrolysable bond is exposed to a solvent, thereby breaking the hydrolysable bond and releasing the captured therapeutic agent. The oligomeric chain may be configured such that upon application of heat thereto the therapeutic agent is released. The therapeutic agent may be a negative regulator of a mammalian heat shock response, such that the release of the therapeutic agent reduces a mammalian heat shock response after application of heat. The therapeutic agent may be an agent that induces mammalian cell death. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured for precise drug delivery and release at a target location. For example, a therapeutic agent may be encapsulated within a bistable oligomeric machine, which may release the therapeutic agent upon actuation of the oligomeric machine.
Still other non-limiting exemplary embodiments may include bistable oligomeric machines for controlled release of a therapeutic agent. A molecular drug delivery machine may comprise a first oligomeric module, a second oligomeric module connected to the first oligomeric module at a bend or hinge location and forming an oligomeric chain, an encapsulation structure arranged for engagement by the oligomeric chain, and a therapeutic agent within the encapsulation structure. The oligomeric chain may be configured such that upon application of energy thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing engagement with the encapsulation structure in a manner causing rupture of the encapsulation structure and release of the therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent may comprise at least two molecules. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise an additional therapeutic agent for simultaneous delivery with the therapeutic agent within the encapsulation structure. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise at least one targeting agent for targeting delivery of the therapeutic agent to at least one organ in a mammalian body. The molecular and/or oligomeric drug delivery machine may be configured for irreversible destruction upon rupture of the encapsulation structure, thereby allowing components of the encapsulation structure to be metabolized by a mammalian body. The encapsulation structure may comprise at least two oligomeric chains. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to break open a vesicle containing a therapeutic agent.
Other non-limiting exemplary embodiments may include thermally activated bistable oligomeric machines. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise an arrangement of molecules configured for introduction into a mammalian body, the molecules being arranged and selected such that when exposed to a prescribed temperature, the arrangement performs at least one mechanical function selected from a group consisting of vibrations, extending, rotating, lifting, pressing, ratcheting, springing, and flexing. The prescribed temperature may be a normal mammalian body temperature and is below a temperature causing necrosis to mammalian cells. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured such that upon introduction of the molecular arrangement to the mammalian body, the molecular arrangement does not perform the mechanical function until the arrangement of molecules is exposed to a temperature at least equal to the prescribed temperature. The molecular arrangement may comprise polymeric material. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a sensitizer configured to increase a local temperature. The sensitizer may be chemically attached to the arrangement of molecules. The sensitizer may comprise at least one nanoparticle and/or organic dye. The sensitizer may be configured to absorb light in the infra-red spectrum. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured as a drug delivery machine. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be chemically attached to a payload, and the molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured as a molecular shuttle to move the payload. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured as a molecular linear actuator. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured as a molecular sensor. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise at least one imaging agent that activates after the molecular and/or oligomeric machine performs a mechanical function. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured as a molecular tweezer wherein at least one mechanical function contracts at least two distal ends of the molecular and/or oligomeric machine to grasp an object between the distal ends of the molecular and/or oligomeric machine.
Still other non-limiting exemplary embodiments may include oligomeric machines configured to facilitate a chemical reaction. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise a synthetic material including a first oligomeric module and a second oligomeric module joined to the first module to form an oligomeric chain, at least one bend or hinge location at a position of co-joinder between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, the bend or hinge location permitting relative flexure between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module, a first chemical reagent attached to the first oligomeric module, and a second chemical reagent attached to the second oligomeric module. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, the first chemical reagent and the second chemical reagent are caused to be drawn into contact with each other and to undergo a chemical reaction. The oligomeric chain may be formed such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, the first chemical reagent and the second chemical reagent are caused to be drawn into contact with each other and to undergo a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction may comprise a chemical bond. The chemical reaction may comprise acceptance by the first chemical reagent of an electron from the second chemical reagent. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to act as chemical catalysts, molecular assemblers and/or destructors capable of synthesizing polymeric materials, and/or energy concentrators. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to facilitate chemical reactions by bringing reagents close to each other, or by transporting energetic/charged reagents.
Other exemplary embodiments may include bistable oligomeric machines configured to respond to multiple different stimuli. A molecular and/or oligomeric machine may comprise an arrangement of molecules configured to perform a mechanical function in response to application of a first stimulus, wherein the mechanical function is selected from a group consisting of rotating, lifting, pressing, ratcheting, springing, and flexing, and a receptor associated with the arrangement of molecules, the receptor being configured to receive a second stimulus different from the first stimulus, and to deactivate the mechanical function in response to the second stimulus, despite a continued application of the first stimulus. The first and second stimuli may be independently selected so as to comprise any of a change in temperature and/or a compound configured to bind to the receptor and thereby deactivate the mechanical function. The molecular and/or oligomeric machine may be configured to be irreversibly inoperable when bound by an inactivating compound. The receptor may be configured to make the molecular and/or oligomeric machine more easily excreted from a mammalian body. The receptor may be configured such that when triggered the molecular and/or oligomeric machine becomes more polar.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. Preferred methods and materials are described herein, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),” “having,” “has,” “can,” “contain(s),” and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that do not preclude the possibility of additional acts or structures. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The present disclosure also contemplates other embodiments “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consisting essentially of” the embodiments or elements presented herein, whether explicitly set forth or not. The conjunctive term “or” may include any and all combinations of one or more listed elements associated by the conjunctive term. For example, the phrase “an apparatus comprising a or b” may refer to an apparatus including a where b may be not present, an apparatus including b where a may be not present, or an apparatus where both a and b are present. The phrases “at least one of a, b, . . . , and n” or “at least one of a, b, . . . , n, or combinations thereof” are defined in the broadest sense to mean one or more elements selected from the group comprising a, b, . . . , and n, that is to say, any combination of one or more of the elements a, b, . . . , or n including any one element alone or in combination with one or more of the other elements, which may also include, in combination, additional elements not listed. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, as used herein, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term “substantially,” as used herein, represents the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” may be also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. The term “at least one bending location or one hinge location” refers to at least one position of co-joinder between the at least two oligomeric modules that allow the at least two oligomeric modules to predictably flex relative to each other about the bending or hinge location.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62,824,610, filed on Mar. 27, 2019 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/000411 | 5/27/2020 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62824610 | Mar 2019 | US |
