(473a) Synthetic-Biological Hybrid Nanoscale Systems for Drug Delivery

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are widely explored to improve the biological outcome of encapsulated drugs including small molecules, peptides and nucleic acids. However, poor vascular circulation, limited targeting and the inability to negotiate many biological barriers are key hurdles in their clinical translation. Improved targeting and reduced off-target accumulation is essential to extract maximal benefits from nanoparticle systems. Biology has provided many examples of successful “carriers” in the form of circulatory cells, which routinely overcome the hurdles faced by synthetic nanoparticle systems. Our laboratory has explored blood-cell inspired drug delivery systems that take advantage of the abilities of red blood cells and monocytes. We have explored “cellular hitchhiking” which involves combining synthetic particles with circulatory cells to drastically alter the in vivo fate of the synthetic particles. I will provide an overview of the principles and capabilities of these nanoparticle drug delivery systems.