Sustainable hierarchical biopolymer hosts for bioactive delivery

Overview

Benanova Inc, led by Prof. Orlin Velev, introduces Soft Dendritic Colloids (SDCs), a groundbreaking biopolymer material designed for the stabilization and delivery of biomolecules. These hierarchically branched polymer fibrils provide an optimal environment for hosting DNA, RNA, proteins, and live cells. The unique structure of SDCs ensures that bio-actives are securely protected within their fibrillar network, while their strong adhesive properties facilitate effective delivery to target surfaces such as plant leaves and seeds.

Technical specifications

• Hierarchical Polymer Fibrils: SDCs are crafted from sustainable biopolymers like chitosan, alginate, and cellulose derivatives.
• Exceptional Adhesion: Mimicking gecko adhesion, the fibrillar network of SDCs adheres strongly to surfaces through "contact splitting".
• Versatile Hosting: Capable of stabilizing a variety of biologicals including DNA, RNA, proteins, and live cells.
• Customizable Structure: The size and morphology of SDCs can be tailored to suit specific biomolecule requirements, ensuring optimal interaction and stabilization.

Technology readiness level

Currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, the SDC technology has been validated in a laboratory setting. Future validation efforts will focus on optimizing the size and material composition of SDCs for specific biological targets, with ongoing adjustments to maximize adhesion and stabilization. The development team is actively preparing SDC carriers for various biological species in collaboration with partners.