TABLE 1.
Key Properties of SCKs, Proteins, Lipoproteins, and Viruses
| Feature | SCKs | Proteins (e.g., histone) | Lipoproteins | Viruses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanosize scale | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Covalent stabilization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stimuli responsiveness | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Selective cellular uptake | Yes (when functionalized with targeting ligands) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Core/shell architecture | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
| Condensation and packaging of nucleic acids | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Solubilization of hydrophobic cargoes | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Formed via synthesis and self-assembly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |