Researchers at the University of Washington have engineered a synthetic nucleocapsid using computer designed proteins that is able to package its own full length genomic mRNA. The nucleocapsid would be used for vector therapy instead of viruses as it could potentially carry in and delivery drugs to the host in which it is injected. When the nucleocapsid encapsulated the researchers’ genomic mRNA it was able to evolve “new traits in a complex environment.” When inserted into an E.coli bacteria, the nucleocapsid evolved some traits that were “virus-like” as it was able to generate diverse populations in the host. When tested against virus vectors such as adeno-associated virus, the nucleocapsid was able to package full length RNA at similar rates. The researchers are hoping that this computer-created nucleocapsid will become the way in which we do targeted drug delivery rather than using viruses, however the viruses have a leg up as of now. Virus vectors are able to copy themselves and reproduce whereas the engineered nucleocapsid cannot. While the nucleocapsid is currently not as effective as a virus in vector therapy, it is a step in a new direction!
-Meley Gebresellassie
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