Smaller Nanodiscs Improve Cellular Target Binding

UC San Diego researchers find smaller red blood cell-derived discs neutralize bacterial toxins more effectively.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Life Sciences

A glass laboratory vial containing opalescent liquid rests on a metal surface, representing medical nanodisc research in a clinical setting. — UC San Diego researchers found that smaller nanodiscs derived from red blood cells are more effective at neutralizing bacterial toxins than larger ones. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of California San Diego researchers discovered that smaller cellular nanodiscs bind biological targets more efficiently than larger counterparts. This size optimization strategy resulted in superior protection against bacterial toxins in animal models.

Why it matters

Smaller nanodiscs diffuse more rapidly and exist in greater numbers for the same amount of material, which increases the overall likelihood of binding to harmful targets. These principles offer a new framework for engineering more effective nanomedicines.

Researchers engineered three red blood cell-derived variants measuring 71, 26, and 15 nanometers in diameter. The study isolated size as the primary variable to determine performance across these specific nanometer scales.

The players

Liangfang Zhang

He is a researcher at the University of California San Diego and was named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow.

University of California San Diego

This public research university serves as a major hub for biomedical innovation and scientific discovery.

San Diego Supercomputer Center

This facility provides high-performance computing resources essential for advanced scientific modeling and simulations.

The details

By pairing experimental biology with computer simulations conducted on the San Diego Supercomputer Center's Expanse system, the team determined that smaller particles provide enhanced neutralization of bacterial alpha-toxins. The smallest 15-nanometer discs provided the highest level of protection in mice exposed to toxins.

2026: Liangfang Zhang was named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow.

The Big Picture

This research follows the implementation of the National Science Foundation's ACCESS program to bridge biological experiments with high-performance computational simulations. By quantifying size variables, this work establishes new design foundations for future nanomedicine development.

These findings could eventually lead to more effective treatments for bacterial infections and improved drug delivery systems. The optimization of nanodisc size is a critical step toward developing more potent medical therapies for patients.

The takeaway

Smaller particles offer distinct physical advantages in medicine due to their superior diffusion and abundance. Researchers can apply these design principles to optimize future drug delivery and toxin neutralization technologies.