Kirk Hall, Cherry Auditorium

A Robust Discoidal LNP Platform for Targeting Theranostic Carriers And Their Structural Characterization

Abstract:

Biocompatible lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have become emergent nanocarriers for delivering RNAs and DNAs. The common challenges of RNA-LNPs include structural analysis, reproducibility, storage, etc. In this talk, I will present a discoidal LNP platform (also known as bicelle) of which we have applied a bottom-up approach to understand how bicelles self-assemble, transform into other morphology and promote cellular uptake. This platform is applicable for theranostic delivery nanocarriers which will potentially overcome the abovementioned challenges. The thorough comprehension of the self-assembling behavior leads to applications for aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE)/photoacoustic (AEP) and templated polymerization for nanorings and nanowebs. The well-defined nanostructure is mainly characterized using small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) which prove to be powerful methods for in-situ studies.

Lectures / Presentations