Electron Microscopy Analysis of Lipid Nanoparticles: Effect of Lipid Components on Morphology

Khuloud Al-Jamal – Professor, Head of Department, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong; Alaa Zam – PhD candidate, King’s College London

Introduction:

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated remarkable success as a gene delivery system. However, LNP is often optimized empirically, primarily based on assessing transfection efficiency. We have shown that the PEG-lipid significantly influenced LNP transfection efficiency. Morphology also has been reported as a critical factor influencing subcellular interactions and transfection. The effects of lipid components on LNP structure remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of lipid components (PEG-lipid, ionizable lipid, RNA type) on morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), providing a basis for rational design of LNPs based on their morphology.