Nanosis

Client: Ljiljana Fruk, University of Cambridge f389@cam.ac.uk

Inspired by Tetris-style games, you will design Nanosis. Nanosis will be a game where players assemble nanoparticles, molecular linkers, and biomolecular ligands (peptides or DNA) to overcome biological barriers and deliver therapeutic payloads to target cells. Each level represents a stage in a nanomedicine’s journey through the body: from circulation in the bloodstream, where players must avoid immune cell uptake, to crossing blood vessel walls, navigating the tumour microenvironment, and ultimately achieving cell entry and intracellular release. Nanoparticle design integrates realistic, structure-informed challenges inspired by protein models (e.g. AlphaFold data on cell receptors) and existing building blocks ( lipids for lipid nanoparticles, polymers for polymeric), helping player appreciate how nanoscale design choices (e.g., particle size, surface chemistry) influence biological interactions. The game aims to spark curiosity about nanotechnology, molecular engineering, and future medicine, while reinforcing concepts such as biocompatibility, targeting specificity, and controlled release.