Novel Analytical Strategy for Characterizing Lipid Nanoparticles in Gene Therapy

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a new analytical strategy for characterizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used in gene therapy. The innovative approach combines capillary zone electrophoresis and pressure-driven Taylor dispersion analysis to provide a deeper understanding of LNP structure and morphological aspects. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of effective gene therapies, particularly in the context of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team developed a novel analytical strategy using capillary zone electrophoresis and pressure-driven Taylor dispersion analysis to characterize DNA-loaded LNP formulations.
  • The novel separation mode, termed electrohydrodynamic coupling (eTD), offers deeper insight into LNP structure and morphological aspects, yielding characteristic profiles for individual formulations.
  • The method distinguished between encapsulated and unencapsulated species, revealing individual electrophoretic and dispersion profiles for single-stranded mRNA and double-stranded DNA.
  • Further investigations are warranted to expand the analytical utility of eTD and deepen our understanding of LNP structural features.
  • The research was supported by the Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Forderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung.
  • The findings demonstrate the potential of capillary techniques for the advanced physicochemical characterization of NA-loaded LNPs.

Statistics:

  • The researchers analyzed free NAs and their mixtures with LNPs under identical conditions.
  • The method distinguished between encapsulated and unencapsulated species, revealing individual electrophoretic and dispersion profiles for single-stranded mRNA and double-stranded DNA.
  • The novel eTD mode offers deeper insight into LNP structure and morphological aspects, yielding characteristic profiles for individual formulations.

Sources:

  • Capillary-Based Physicochemical Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles. ELECTROPHORESIS, 2025.
  • University of Basel. Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Valentin Schittny. Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Forderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung.
  • Evrim Umit Kuzucu, Jorg Huwyler, and Maria Anna Schwarz.Electrophoresis. Wiley.