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Published Journal Articles

Biodegradable Drug-Delivery Peptide Nanocapsules

ABSTRACT:Branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPCs) are an efficient transport system that can deliver nucleic acids, small proteins, and solutes. The ability of BAPCs to break down is essential to their adoption as a delivery vehicle for human and agricultural applications. Until now, however, BAPCs were shown to be inert to…

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Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsule Uptake by Aspergillus Nidulans

ABSTRACT:The ability of branched amphipathic peptide capsules (BAPC) to encapsulate and transport payloads into cells offers new approaches to deliver active ingredients (AIs). Until now, we have found that the BAPC were completely inert in previously tested eukaryotic cells. However, photographs have been collected that demonstrate Aspergillus nidulans, a common…

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Transdermal Delivery of Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsule Magnetic (BAPC-MB) in Mice

ABSTRACT:To test the transdermal delivery capabilities of BAPC-MB, the tails of live mice were dipped in BAPC-MB solution for 1, 5, 15 and 30 minutes. After a 24-hour incubation period, the tissues were harvested for evaluation of tissue distribution. This initial proof-of-concept experiment demonstrates that 50 nm BAPC-MB are rapidly…

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Rat Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IEC-18) Internalize Magnetic Nanobeads (MNBs) Encapsulated Within a Branched Amphipathic Peptide (BAP) Bilayer

ABSTRACT:To evaluate the effect of BAP encapsulation of magnetic nanobeads on both cellular uptake and cell viability, research was conducted with Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsule Magnetic Beads (BAPC-MB) and rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18). The study found that the percentage of IEC-18 cells taking up BAPC-MB was significantly higher when…

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Physical Characteristics of 50 and 200 nm Magnetic Beads when Encapsulated with Branched Amphiphilic Peptides (BAP)

ABSTRACT:Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsule Magnetic Beads (BAPC-MB) are a new nanoparticle developed for use as in diagnostic platforms. The bases are Maleimide Super Mag Magnetic Beads which are dispersed in 75% ethanol and combined with our proprietary H9Cys BAP. The result of the initial step is a magnetic bead with…

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Two Separate Toxicity Studies Conducted on Apis Melifera (Honey Bees)

ABSTRACT:Introduction This report outlines two separate toxicity studies conducted on Apis melifera. The first study follows the parameters of the EPA Litmus test and the second study delves deeper into possible BAPC toxicity surpassing the standards of the EPA definitive test. Each study was performed under EPA guidelines including harvesting…

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Assessing Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsules (BAPC) Delivery of Short Interfering RNA (siRNA) to Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT:Objectives Primary: To evaluate knockdown of target protein following antisense siRNA delivery to GFP-CHO cells with BAPC versus current commercial transfection reagents. Secondary: To assess cellular viability through cryopreservation following BAPC treatment. Experimental design Transfection efficiency. CHO-GFP cells were transfected with the following double-stranded RNA complexes: 1) siRNA237 (5’ gcagcacgacuucuucaag…

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Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Bilayer Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT:We provide strong chemical and biophysical evidence that documents that branched amphiphilic peptides, BAPs, known to assemble into spherical nanoassemblies in solution, do assemble as peptide-bilayer-delimited capsules. These nanoassemblies are termed branched amphiphilic peptide capsules (BAPCs). BAPCs are taken up by cells and accumulate in the perinuclear region to persist…

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The Blog

FAQs

BAPC

What are Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsules (BAPC)?

BAPC are nanospheres made from two branched peptides that self-assemble to form solvent-filled, bilayer defined capsules. They serve as nano-delivery vehicles that overcome many of the poor absorption issues that plague certain classes of drugs: vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, pesticides, etc.

Due to their extreme temperature stability, BAPC have distinct advantages over other nano-carriers and can even be autoclaved. While liposomal-based carries break down too quickly in biological systems, polymer-based carriers don’t decompose at all and can build up in the environment. BAPC offer just the right amount of stability while maintaining low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity.

How small are BAPC?

BAPC are produced to specification in sizes ranging from six nanometers to two micrometers.

Why would I need different size BAPC?

The optimal size needed depends on the application. For diagnostic work, six nanometer BAPC are ideal for gold or biomarker encapsulation. For cell transfection research, BAPC are available in the following sizes: 6, 10, 25, and 50 nanometers. These sizes are ideal for achieving maximum transfection rates. Larger BAPC can be prepared and can be used for encapsulating larger volumes for delivery of active ingredients such as fungicides.

How is the surface charge affected by addition of nucleic acid particles (i.e. iRNA and dsRNA)?

The positive surface charge is decreased due to electrostatic attractions but not to a point where their net charge becomes negative

Can BAPC be customized for my specific application?

Yes. We realize that all research has unique considerations, so we can customize BAPC to your exact specifications. If you’re not sure which size BAPC are best suited for your research, we invite you to contact our team for a consultation.

What components can BAPC be used with?

The composition of BAPC allows hydrophilic small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids to be either surface bound or encapsulated within its compartment during the assembly process. This works both in vitro and in vivo.

What can BAPC encapsulate?

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Therapeutic Drugs
  • Radionuclides
  • Pesticides
  • Fungicides
  • Colloidal Gold
  • Magnetic Beads

What can be bound to the surface of BAPC?

  • Proteins
  • Sugars
  • dsRNA
  • siRNA
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Plasmids
  • CRISPR-Cas9 components

Are BAPC toxic?

When it comes to nanoparticles, there are a lot of unknowns and misconceptions in the industry. With much related research still in its infancy, the long-term effects of these new nanoparticles on human health and the environment are still being investigated.

While many nanoparticle carriers are toxic to target cells, BAPC are non-toxic due to their natural peptide composition, stability and slightly positive surface charge. They also have the advantage of being non-immunogenic and completely biodegradable in the environment.

What commercial applications can BAPC be used for?

BAPC are an adaptable carrier platform with applications for multiple industries.

These include:

  • Medical Vaccines
  • Medical Therapeutics
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Veterinary Vaccines
  • Veterinary Therapeutics
  • Veterinary Pesticides
  • Plant Nutrition
  • Plant Insecticides
  • Plant Fungicides
  • Plant Herbicides
  • Household and Commercial Biopesticides
  • Premise Pest Control
  • Cell Transfection

BAPtofect-25

What is BAPtofect-25?

BAPtofect-25 kits are 25 nm conformationally locked BAPC in quantities of 0.5mg, 1.0 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg for use in cell transfection research. 25 nm BAPC have been proven to be the ideal size to achieve maximum cell transfection rates.

How does BAPtofect-25 work for cell transfection?

Compared to the liposomal and polymer-based cell transfection materials available today, BAPC offer an improved option for cell transfection research. In studies using HeLa and HEK-293 cells, BAPtofect-25 compared to an industry leading liposomal carrier yielded transfection rates that exceeded the cationic lipid with considerably less cytotoxicity.

BAPC enter cells via the endosomal pathway providing targeted, protected delivery of their payloads. Both surface-bound proteins and nucleic acids are shielded from lytic degradation.

What is the surface charge of BAPtoFect-25?

+25 to 30 mV

How do I use BAPtofect-25?

A full reagent protocol is available here.

Shipping and Storage

How is BAPC shipped?

US shipments are sent via USPS Priority Mail for delivery within one to three days. International shipments are sent via Federal Express Economy unless expedited delivery is requested.

How is BAPC stored?

BAPC should be stored in a cool and dry location. BAPC with added fluorescent dye should also be stored in a dark location.

What our users say

“BAPtofect-25 systems have revolutionized our transfection process and allowed our undergraduate researchers to transfect dsRNA within the first week of being in our lab. Amazingly easy and accurate.”

Dr. James Balthazor Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Fort Hays State University

“There was no difference in siRNA knockdown of a target protein in CHO cells following transfection with BAPC vs. two other transfection agents (TransIt-X2 and Lipofectamine 3000).  In addition, we found that the presence of BAPC did not affect cell viability after one month of cryopreservation.  We have plans to expand these comparisons to additional cell lines in the near future.”

Dr. Barry Bradford Professor, Animal Sciences and Industry
Kansas State University

“This technology will enable future medical and therapeutic tools. It carries infinite possibilities.”

Dr. Yoonseong Park Professor, Department of Entomology
Kansas State University

“The addition of BAPC improves delivery of CRISPR components, plasmids, and dsRNA for heritable gene editing and gene targeting in insect nymphs and adults. The first heritable gene Knockouts, using BAPC-assisted-CRISPR-Cas9, produced G2 mutants from injected adult females.”

The FASEB Journal, Abstract Number: 626.2
BAPC-assisted-CRISPR-Cas9 Delivery into Nymphs and Adults for Heritable Gene Editing
Dr. Wayne Hunter Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS