Synthetic protocells coated in red blood cell fragments

“Cell-like objects that can directly interface with living biological tissues,” is how one scientist describes this research from the University of Bristol and two Chinese centers. The work involved “prepared synthetic protocells coated in red blood cell fragments for use as nitric oxide generating bio-bots within blood vessels. Coating the protocells led to increased levels of biocompatibility and longer blood circulation times. Critically, the team trapped an enzyme inside the protocells which, in the presence of glucose, produced hydrogen peroxide. This was then used by haemoglobin in the protocell membrane to degrade the drug molecule hydroxyurea into nitric oxide gas. When placed inside small pieces of blood vessels, or injected into a carotid artery, the protocells produced sufficient amounts of nitric oxide to initiate the biochemical pathways responsible for blood vessel vasodilation.”  MORE

Image Credit:  Nature Chemistry