Rafael Itzhakov 
Hagit Hak
Sudharsan Sadhasivam 
Eduard Belausov
Elazar Fallik
Ziv Spiegelman 
Edward Sionov 
Elena Poverenov 

This work addresses the challenge of delivering bioactive molecules by designing biocompatible nanogel particles (NGPs) utilizing rationally modified nature-sourced building blocks: capryl-oligochitosan and oxidized inosine. Capryl substituents endowed the resultant NGPs with membrane-penetration capabilities, while purine-containing inosine allowed H-bond/π-π/π-cation interactions. The prepared NGPs were complexed with carboxyfluorescein-labeled single-stranded oligonucleotide (FAM-oligo) and DsRed-encoding plasmid DNA. The successful delivery of FAM-oligo to the cell cytoplasm of the Nicotiana benthamiana plant was observed. Alexa 555-labeled bovine serum albumin (Alexa 555-BSA) was also efficiently encapsulated and delivered to the plant. In addition to delivering FAM-oligo and Alexa 555-BSA separately, NGPs also successfully co-delivered both biomolecules to the plant. Finally, NGPs successfully encapsulated the drug amphotericin B and reduced its toxicity while maintaining its efficacy. The presented findings suggest that NGPs may become a promising platform for the advanced delivery of bioactive molecules in various applications.