A polymer is prepared by self-assembly of a plurality of monomeric
polypeptide units. The polymer tends to form a nanotube and is capable of
encapsulating a particular drug molecule. Once encapsulated in the
polymer of the present invention, the drug molecule may be delivered to a
particular location of human body to effectively cure a disease or treat
a symptom.Generally, the monomeric polypeptide unit of the present
invention has a sequence found in Pyrodictium abyssi, a microorganism
that produces an extracellular network having hollow protein tubes, or a
sequence substantially identical thereto. The monomeric polypeptide may
be mass produced using recombinant biotechnologies and be polymerized
into the polymer of the present invention. One or more additional
targeting vector may be attached to the monomeric polypeptide unit or the
polymer to facilitate the targeting of the drug molecule that may be held
there within. The sequence contained in the monomeric polypeptide unit
may be further optimized using one or more technique selected from Gene
Site Saturation Mutagenesis and GeneReasembly.TM..