A 1-to-2 demultiplexer hybrid nanocarrier for cargo delivery and activation

Abstract

A biocomputing strategy implemented in hybrid nanocarriers for controlled cargo delivery is described. The nanodevice consists of enzyme-functionalized Janus Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which behave as an electronic demultiplexer (DEMUX). The nanocarrier is capable of reading molecular information from the environment (lactose) and selecting one of two possible outputs (galactose production or 4-methylumbellilferone release and activation) depending on the presence of an addressing input (NAD⁺).