UC San Diego

Plant viruses are naturally synthesized, monodispersed nanoparticles with unique properties that bridge physiochemical characteristics (such as optical and electromagnetic properties) and physiological interactions (such as tumor homing and immune evasiveness, as well as soil mobility). These features make plant viruses highly versatile for applications in materials science, biomedicine, and agriculture. Their translational value is enhanced by diverse morphologies, structural adaptability enables functionalization through chemical conjugation and genetic modification, and scalability of low-cost production via molecular farming.The core of my dissertation focuses on the filamentous plant virus, potato virus X (PVX), whose flexible filamentous structure is difficult to replicate with current nanoparticle synthesis technologies. I developed inactivation methods to eliminate PVX's environmental impact while preserving its structural integrity and chemical functionality, thereby increasing its translational potential. My research explored PVX’s application in cancer immunotherapy through chemical conjugation, intraparticle crosslinking, and genetic engineering. Additionally, I utilized tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a rod-shaped plant virus with high affinity for gold, to develop bio-templated gold nanorods. Furthermore, I engineered a leaf-polymer hybrid material as a soft actuator for advanced material applications. Overall, my work establishes a foundation for utilizing plant viruses and plant tissues in cancer immunotherapy and innovative material development.