Synthetic Virology Toolbox for the Encapsulation of Therapeutic Polyelectrolytes (SYNVIRO)

Heparin is widely used as a blood anti-coagulant. However, the associated limitations require rapid neutralization after surgical operation or before blood sample analysis. In SYNVIRO we will develop new safe, synthetic, biohybrid materials to bind, encapsulate and remove heparin efficiently. Our approach mimics the way how viruses work. We will synthesise/isolate materials encapsulating features and study their self-assembly and ability to package polyelectrolytes. Our tools consist of synthetic block copolymers, peptide/protein-polymer conjugates, minimal capsid proteins and plant virus derived native capsid proteins. The approach can be readily extended to other biological polyelectrolytes, such as DNA and RAN. The systematic approach of SYNVIRO offers a leap from the trial-and-error research to understanding and controlling polyelectrolyte encapsulation in general.