New transport pathway for active substances into the cell discovered

One of the major challenges facing cell research is how to target substances to combat diseases. A team from Constructor University, in cooperation with scientists from the University of Vienna, discovered a new, promising method using spherical metal oxide molecules known as polyoxometalates. They report on the results of their research in the journal “Advanced Materials”, one of the most important publication media in chemistry and materials science.

The metal oxide molecules are already known as antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer agents. What is new, however, is the discovery that certain variants with two different metals are also able to overcome membrane barriers. Drugs can, thus, reach a cell in a more targeted manner, which can lead to better and more efficient results in the medical and pharmaceutical field.

“The method has a broad application potential,” says first author Dr. Andrea Barba-Bon, who is researching the development of the method at Constructor University as part of Prof. Dr. Werner Nau’s chemistry working group, alongside doctoral student Maryam Ashjari.

The use of inorganic, i.e. non-carbon-based, drug transporters is a recent development that was only introduced last year in a Nature publication. While until recently the application was limited to spherical molecules with the element boron, new avenues are now opening up with metal-containing molecules. “For the first time, this creates possibilities for tailoring the transporters to the active ingredient to be delivered,” said Nau, “because the discovery of the new class means that a broader portfolio of different transporters is now available.”

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Faculty Contact:
Dr. Werner Nau | Provost and Professor of Chemistry
wnau@constructor.university | Tel.: +49 421 200-3233

Originalpublikation:

DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309219

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