This research into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) highlights their critical role in delivering RNA therapeutics by protecting genetic cargo and facilitating cellular entry. These delivery systems are complex structures typically assembled through microfluidic mixing, resulting in an ionizable lipid core that responds to physiological pH. Researchers utilize diverse imaging modalities, such as optical microscopy and nuclear imaging, to track how these particles move through the body and enter specific cells. Advanced strategies to refine targeting and expression include modifying the RNA itself with microRNA target sites or specific binding motifs to ensure activity only in desired tissues. Furthermore, engineering the resulting proteins with localization signals allows for precise control over where they function within the cell. Ultimately, these innovations aim to improve the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and gene therapies by minimizing off-target effects.

References:

• Kang, D.D., Marks, A., Morla-Folch, J. et al. Targeting and tracking mRNA lipid nanoparticles at the particle, transcript and protein level. Nat. Biomed. Eng 9, 1591–1609 (2025). doi.org