Biology subjects

Beckham, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Beckham, J. L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

CHARIOT-AAV: Conjugation of diverse vectors to adeno-associated viruses for delivery of large genes

Systemic, tissue-specific delivery of large transgenes exceeding the packaging capacity of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) remains a key translational challenge for molecular therapeutics. Vectors with larger capacities, such as lentiviral vectors (LVVs) and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), often lack adjustable, tissue-specific tropisms. Here we report CHARIOT-AAV (Crosslinked Hybrid Architectures for Robust, Interchangeable, and Organ-specific Targeting with AAV), a platform where diverse delivery vectors are conjugated to AAVs, thereby achieving tissue-specific tropism of AAVs and expanded cargo capacity. AAV-AAV conjugates packaging split SpCas9 constructs in AAV.CAP-B10 capsids demonstrate a [~]2-fold increase in brain gene editing efficiency over unconjugated AAV cocktails after intravenous injection. In addition to AAV-AAV conjugates, AAV-LVV and AAV-LNP conjugates achieve AAV-guided delivery of genetic payloads to target cells. Furthermore, AAV-LNP conjugates enable systemic delivery of mRNAs to brain endothelial cells. CHARIOT-AAV thus provides a modular platform for systemic, tissue-specific delivery of diverse therapeutics beyond the limits of individual vectors.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Adeno-associated viruses escort nanomaterials to specific cells and tissues

The delivery of nanotherapeutics to specific tissues relies on bespoke targeting strategies or invasive surgeries. Conversely, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) can target specific tissues following intravenous injections. Here we show that cell-targeting properties of AAVs could be broadly conferred to nanomaterials. We develop a strategy to couple AAV capsids to nanoparticles that is invariant of viral serotype or nanomaterial chemistry and permits control over stoichiometry of the AAV-nanoparticle chimeras. The chimeras selectively escort nanoparticles into cell classes governed by AAV serotypes. When applied to magnetic nanoparticles, the AAV-nanoparticle chimeras enable magnetically localized gene delivery. In vivo, we show that leveraging the brain-targeting AAV serotype CAP-B10 achieves nanoparticle delivery to the parenchyma with [~]10% efficiency (% injected dose/g[brain]) while avoiding accumulation in the liver. The enhanced delivery efficiency and tissue specificity highlight the potential of AAV-chimeras as a versatile strategy to escort broad classes of nanotherapeutics to the brain and beyond.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2022

Molecular machines stimulate intercellular calcium waves and cause muscle contraction

Intercellular calcium waves (ICW) are complex signaling phenomena that control many essential biological activities, including smooth muscle contraction, vesicle secretion, gene expression, and changes in neuronal excitability. Accordingly, the remote stimulation of ICW may result in versatile new biomodulation and therapeutic strategies. Here, we demonstrate that light-activated molecular machines (MM), molecules that rotate and perform mechanical work on the molecular scale, can remotely stimulate ICW. Live-cell calcium tracking and pharmacological experiments reveal that MM-induced ICW are driven by the activation of inositol triphosphate (IP3) mediated signaling pathways by unidirectional, fast-rotating MM. We then demonstrated that MM-induced ICW can be used to control muscle contraction in vitro in cardiomyocytes and animal behavior in vivo in Hydra vulgaris. Consequentially, this work demonstrates a new strategy for the direct control of cell signaling and downstream biological function using molecular-scale devices.

bioengineering↗