Development of ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that enable efficient cellular uptake and endosomal escape of mRNA therapeutics. Critical breakthrough enabling COVID-19 vaccines and next-generation gene therapies.
Core Beliefs
Ionizable lipids enable pH-dependent membrane fusion for endosomal escape
LNP composition critically determines tissue targeting and immune response
mRNA therapeutics can address diseases intractable to traditional drugs
Methods
Microfluidic mixing for reproducible LNP formulation
In vivo biodistribution and transfection studies
Structure-activity relationship analysis of ionizable lipids