Lipid nanoparticle

A nanoscale particle made largely from lipids that can carry nucleic acids or other substances into cells. Its lipid composition helps package cargo and support cellular delivery.

Ionizable lipid: A lipid whose charge changes with pH, used to bind nucleic acids during formulation and aid their release inside cells. It is the main component that complexes RNA and helps it escape endosomes.
Nanoparticle formulation: The process of combining materials and controlling conditions to produce nanoparticles with chosen properties. Mixing conditions and component ratios determine particle size and cargo encapsulation.
mRNA vaccine: A vaccine that delivers messenger RNA encoding an antigen, prompting cells to produce the antigen and induce immunity. Lipid nanoparticles protect and deliver the vaccine's messenger RNA into cells.
Viral vector: A modified virus used to carry genetic material into cells for research or therapy. Unlike viral vectors, lipid particles are synthetic carriers and do not rely on viral entry machinery.
Phospholipid: A lipid with a water-attracting head and water-repelling tails that forms membranes and other organized structures. It helps shape the particle and contributes membrane-like structure.
Microfluidic mixing: A method that controls fluid flow through tiny channels to mix reagents rapidly and reproducibly. Rapid mixing of lipids and nucleic acids can produce uniform particles.
Patisiran: An RNA interference medicine that uses small interfering RNA to reduce production of transthyretin in the liver. Its lipid nanoparticle formulation delivers siRNA to liver cells.
Polymeric nanoparticle: A nanoscale carrier made from polymer materials that can encapsulate or bind therapeutic substances. Polymer carriers offer different degradation, loading, and release properties from lipid formulations.
Cholesterol: A sterol found in animal membranes that modulates membrane packing and fluidity. It stabilizes particle structure and influences lipid packing.
Endocytosis: A cellular process that brings material into a cell by enclosing it in a membrane-bound vesicle. Cells commonly take up lipid nanoparticles through this pathway.

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