Phys.org  October 30, 2023 Despite their inherent versatility and ability to enable complex biological applications, there is considerable interest in augmenting the performance of membrane-coated nanoparticles (CNP) through the introduction of additional functionalities. Researchers at UC San Diego developed and demonstrated a genetic-engineering-based modular approach to CNP functionalization. The cell membrane coating was engineered to express a SpyCatcher membrane anchor that could readily form a covalent bond with any moiety modified with SpyTag. They generated three unique targeted CNP formulations using different classes of targeting ligands, including a designed ankyrin repeat protein. In vitro, the modified nanoparticles exhibited enhanced affinity […]