CLiC & Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs)

Single-particle imaging to quantitate biophysical properties of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccines and therapies

We are excited to innovate a unique, end-to-end platform to connect macromolecular biophysics to therapeutic function. We are excited to innovate a unique, end-to-end platform to connect macromolecular biophysics to therapeutic function. We have pioneered a tether-free, single-molecule imaging technique to study the interactions between RNA, proteins and lipid nanoparticles under cell-like conditions.

Filling the gaps in mRNA-LNP analytics landscape

Size and Payload — Distribution of properties, correlated to each other

CLiC (Single-particle meas.)

CLiC Single Particle Measurements

Vs

DLS (Bulk meas.)

DLS Drawing
  • Obtain size distribution through single particle microscopy data vs. average size from indirect fit to bulk DLS spectrum
  • Single particle microscopy is quantitative and unbiased for small particles (e.g. < 40 nm) vs. DLS is not
  • Single particle microscopy can distinguish and manage outliers vs. DLS analysis cannot

Interaction kinetics — Correlated with structure

CLiC (meas. In solution)

CLiC Fusion Experiment

Vs

SPR (surface binding)

SPR Drawing
  • Freely diffusing vs. tethered / surface binding
  • Quantitative single-molecule data vs. fit to bulk (e.g. SPR) spectrum
  • Investigate structure-function relationships vs. limited by immobilization-altered results

Visualizing molecule / particle dynamics in real time

Single Pit Plot
  • Direct measurements of time-ordered events, correlated with observables with single-molecule resolution.
  • Ability to exchange reagents and observe response due to entropic confinement

* For further detail, see publication by Kamanzi et. al. on single-particle LNP size & RNA- payload analysis, published in ACS Nano (2021)