Structural Nanomedicine
Structural nanomedicine is an emerging field that emphasizes the rational design of architecturally precise nanoscale therapeutics to maximize both their potency and safety.[1][2][3][4][5]
The principles of structural nanomedicine are used by researchers to construct nanoscale therapies with control over both composition and structure, including active drug and carrier identity, active component number and spatial arrangement, and linker chemistry. These parameters are systematically tuned to maximize performance. In structural nanomedicine, it is essential to understand structure-function relationships because even small changes in structure can influence how well a nanomedicine functions – including how it enters cells, circulates in the body, activates the immune system, or engages with its biological target.
Background
Previously, small-molecule drugs dominated the pharmaceutical landscape. Within this class of medicines, it became increasingly evident that subtle structural modifications, such as the substitution of single atoms in a molecule or the use of its enantiomer (the mirror image of a molecule), can profoundly influence biological activity. For instance, the (S)-enantiomer of ibuprofen, a commonly used small molecule drug, is significantly less effective than its (R)-enantiomer.[6]
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the development of biologics – drugs made of biological and medicinal components like nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins. Biologics have now surpassed small molecules as the dominant class of pharmaceuticals on the market. They are bigger in size and allow for customization that is not possible with small molecules. For example, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can be constructed using site-specific conjugation strategies to achieve uniform drug-to-antibody ratios (DARs).[7] Similarly, bispecific antibodies (e.g., Blinatumomab)[8] have been used to demonstrate that molecular orientation, linker design, and physicochemical properties can profoundly influence therapeutic efficacy. Now, more and more nanomedicines are being used in pharma. Many of these are in the form of co-assembled superstructures; however, the field is moving toward the development of molecularly defined versions of structural nanomedicines because there are vast opportunities to tailor such drugs to maximize both efficacy and safety (Figure 1).

Structural nanomedicine principles and design considerations
Structural nanomedicines encompass a range of architectures that vary in their structural precision; however, all classes of them are more structured than the unstructured medicinal components of which they are comprised (Figure 1). Many conventional nanomedicines can be classified as co-assembled superstructures; they are inherently heterogeneous, and individual nanomedicines in each batch are not structurally identical. For example, the lipid nanoparticles used in mRNA based COVID-19 vaccines vary in size, shape, and/or composition batch-to-batch, and are typically characterized based on average structural properties.[9][10][11][12]
These clinically efficacious nanoparticles are typically generated through self-assembly, so the process is scalable, but the inability to precisely define and synthesize optimal structural configurations with atomic and molecular precision (i.e., attain a globally optimized vs. a locally optimized drug) contributes to variability in pharmacokinetics and ultimately therapeutic outcomes. To address this challenge, researchers are working to rationally design well-defined, molecularly precise nanoarchitectures via systematic investigations that allow the potency and safety to be optimized across a vast design space.[citation needed]
Progress in this field is fueled by collaboration across chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, biology, and medicine, with researchers working together to translate structural nanomedicines into clinically effective therapies. Structural nanomedicine marks a major paradigm shift in drug development; the field is moving beyond co-assembled nanoscale systems to structurally precise, mulitfunctional nanotherapeutics designed to track and treat a wide array of diseases, spanning many forms of cancers and infectious diseases (Figure 1).
Key classes of structural nanomedicines
Structural nanomedicine represents a paradigm shift in drug development: structure as well as composition are critical in engineering optimized nanomedicines designed to treat the individual patient. Notable examples of structural nanomedicines include COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), megamolecules, and chemoflares.[1][2][13]
Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs)
Lipid nanoparticles are nanoscale systems composed of ionizable lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lipid conjugates. These co-assembled superstructures are widely used for the delivery of nucleic acids and other therapeutic agents (e.g., siRNA, CRISPR-based gene editing machinery, proteins) for the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders.[10] LNPs gained global attention through their use in mRNA COVID-19 vaccine formulations.[14]
Researchers have focused on optimizing LNP structural properties to improve delivery efficiency and target specificity. For instance, modifications to surface charge, fluidity, and ligand presentation have been shown to influence endosomal escape, nucleic acid stability, and payload release kinetics.[citation needed]
Spherical Nucleic Acids (SNAs)
Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are a class of nanostructures composed of a nanoparticle core surrounded by a radially oriented, densely packed nucleic acid shell. Invented by Chad Mirkin in 1996,[15] SNAs exhibit unique properties arising from their three-dimensional architecture including enhanced cellular uptake, resistance to nuclease degradation, and low toxicity (compared to the same sequences of linear, free nucleic acids).
Clinically, SNAs have shown promise in treating glioblastoma, psoriasis, and Merkel cell carcinoma as well as other diseases and disorders, with several drug candidates in development (NCT03086278, NCT03684785, NCT03020017). In some cases, SNA-based therapies have resulted in complete remission in multiple checkpoint inhibitor–refractory cancer patients.[16] SNAs have been extensively studied in the context of gene regulation, CRISPR-based gene editing,[17][18][19] immunotherapy, and vaccine development.[20][21] These findings underscore the power of SNAs, and structural nanomedicines more broadly, in transforming therapeutic outcomes (Figure 2).

DNA dendrons
DNA dendrons are well-defined, highly branched oligonucleotide structures. These programmable, multivalent architectures enable precise control over DNA strand number, spatial orientation, and density.[22] [23] DNA dendrons composed of therapeutic oligonucleotides have enhanced hybridization efficiencies and improved targeting and binding affinities. Their multivalency enhances cellular uptake—especially by antigen-presenting cells (APCs, a class of cells of the immune system)—and facilitates the co-delivery of peptides, proteins, or adjuvants.[22][23] Their modularity makes them useful for a variety of biomedical applications spanning drug delivery to biosensing.[24]
Chemoflares and RNA-responsive constructs
Chemoflares are a class of cell-responsive nanotherapeutics that are based on the SNA architecture,[13][25][26] and they integrate both sensing and therapeutic functions (theranostics). Developed by Natalie Artzi and others (Figure 3 top), chemoflares can be designed to release therapeutic payloads in diseased cells in response to molecular cues that are absent in healthy cells. This action is accompanied by signal (fluorescence) turn-on. For example, chemoflares have been engineered to deliver the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) upon binding with mRNA targets (like MRP1) intercellularly that are known to be overexpressed in certain types of cancer cells.[27][28]
Broadly, cell-responsive nucleic acid nanomedicines can be constructed to have nucleic acid valencies and orientations that allow for therapeutic release in response to other disease-specific cues, such as pH, enzyme activity, and analyte expression (Figure 3 bottom).

MegaMolecules
MegaMolecules are structurally well-defined protein assemblies invented by Milan Mrksich. These structures are prepared using site-specific covalent linkages between enzyme-tagged fusion proteins and synthetic linkers bearing irreversible inhibitors.[29] For example, megamolecules can be bispecific antibody mimics, capable of engaging both tumor antigens and T cell receptors, to bolster immune responses[30] (Figure 4).

By varying the spatial arrangement and number of antigen-binding fragments (Fabs), researchers have demonstrated their ability to improve tumor cell killing. In parallel, other groups have used modular DNA scaffolds to organize different antibodies in exact stoichiometries and oligomeric sequences.[31] These approaches enable the construction of antibody mimics with precise control over domain orientation and valency. Collectively, these platforms offer a versatile strategy for the development of next-generation protein therapeutics with customizable structures and properties.
DNA origami
Predictable DNA base-pairing interactions can be used to organize long oligonucleotide strands[32][33] into DNA origami scaffolds with precise dimensions and topologies. Drugs, enzymes, antigens, and/or imaging agents can be organized upon such materials (Figure 5 top).

The field of DNA nanotechnology was pioneered by Nadrian Seeman using tile-based approaches, and was developed further by Paul Rothemund, who introduced systems that take advantage of scaffolding and staple strands for the synthesis of very complex 2D and 3D DNA origami assemblies.[34]
These DNA-based constructs have been employed as agents for controlled drug release via molecular logic gates and stimuli-responsive features.[35] The platform has been shown to improve pharmacological targeting, minimizing off-target effects, especially in cancer and gene therapy applications (Figure 5). Recent studies have also emphasized the value of DNA origami-based immunotherapies and vaccine carriers.[36][37]
References
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|pmc=value (help). PMID 40671716 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|pmc-embargo-date=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mirkin CA, Langer R, Mrksich M, Margolin AA, Petrosko SH, Artzi N (May 13, 2025). "Blueprints for Better Drugs: The Structural Revolution in Nanomedicine". ACS Nano. 19 (20): 18889–18901. Bibcode:2025ACSNa..1918889M. doi:10.1021/acsnano.5c06380. PMC 12168243 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 40359339 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|pmc-embargo-date=ignored (help) - ↑ Kudruk S, Forsyth CM, Dion MZ, Hedlund Orbeck JK, Luo J, Klein RS, et al. (August 2, 2024). "Multimodal neuro-nanotechnology: Challenging the existing paradigm in glioblastoma therapy". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 121 (32): e2413733121. doi:10.1073/pnas.2413733121. PMC 11317605 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 39093950 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Teplensky MH, Evangelopoulos M, Dittmar JW, Forsyth CM, Sinegra AJ, Wang S, et al. (January 30, 2023). "Multi-antigen spherical nucleic acid cancer vaccines". Nature Biomedical Engineering. 7 (7): 911–927. doi:10.1038/s41551-022-01000-2. PMC 10424220 Check
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|pmc=value (help). PMID 35130825 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Mirkin CA, Letsinger RL, Mucic RC, Storhoff JJ (1996). "A DNA-based method for rationally assembling nanoparticles into macroscopic materials". Nature. 382 (6592): 607–609. Bibcode:1996Natur.382..607M. doi:10.1038/382607a0. PMID 8757129.
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|pmc=value (help). PMID 39812088 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|pmc-embargo-date=ignored (help) - ↑ Meng HM, Zhang X, Lv Y, Zhao Z, Wang NN, Fu T, et al. (2014). "DNA Dendrimer: An Efficient Nanocarrier of Functional Nucleic Acids for Intracellular Molecular Sensing". ACS Nano. 8 (6): 6171–81. Bibcode:2014ACSNa...8.6171M. doi:10.1021/nn5015962. PMC 4076030. PMID 24806614.
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|pmc=value (help). PMID 32706250 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Dosta P, Cryer AM, Dion MZ, Shiraishi T, Langston SP, Lok D, et al. (2023). "Investigation of the enhanced antitumour potency of STING agonist after conjugation to polymer nanoparticles". Nature Nanotechnology. 18 (11): 1351–63. Bibcode:2023NatNa..18.1351D. doi:10.1038/s41565-023-01447-7. PMID 37443252 Check
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|pmc=value (help). PMID 36405374 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 30.0 30.1 Modica JA, Iderzorig T, Mrksich M (2020). "Design and Synthesis of Megamolecule Mimics of a Therapeutic Antibody". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 142 (32): 13657–61. Bibcode:2020JAChS.14213657M. doi:10.1021/jacs.0c05093. PMC 8534297 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 32706963 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Sridhar S, Modica JA, Sykora DJ, Berns EJ, Mrksich M (2024). "Synthesis and Activity of T-Cell Tumor-Directing MegaMolecules". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 146 (39): 26801–26807. Bibcode:2024JAChS.14626801S. doi:10.1021/jacs.4c07377. PMID 39167468 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Seeman NC (1982). "Nucleic acid junctions and lattices". Journal of Theoretical Biology. 99 (2): 237–47. Bibcode:1982JThBi..99..237S. doi:10.1016/0022-5193(82)90002-9. PMID 6188926.
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|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Rothemund PW (2006). "Folding DNA to create nanoscale shapes and patterns". Nature. 440 (7082): 297–302. Bibcode:2006Natur.440..297R. doi:10.1038/nature04586. PMID 16541064.
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|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Veneziano R, Moyer TJ, Stone MB, Wamhoff EC, Read BJ, Mukherjee S, et al. (2020). "Role of nanoscale antigen organization on B-cell activation probed using DNA origami". Nature Nanotechnology. 15 (8): 716–723. Bibcode:2020NatNa..15..716V. doi:10.1038/s41565-020-0719-0. PMC 7415668 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 32601450 Check|pmid=value (help).
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