Probing Nanomedicine Structures with Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Lipid Based Nanoparticles and Liposomes

Silvia Appleton – Researcher, European Commission, Joint Research Centre; Ambra Sarracino – Researcher, European Commission, Joint Research Centre; Jessica Ponti – Researcher, European Commission, Joint Research Centre; Luigi Calzolai – Researcher, European Commission, Joint Research Centre; Miffy Hok Yan Cheng – Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Mariana Hugo Silva – PhD student, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Rein Verbeke – Researcher, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Stefaan De Smedt – Head of Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ine Lentacker – Researcher, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Introduction:

We present the capability of analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) to assess the density and the morphological homogeneity of lipid-based nanoparticles, including liposomes and mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). By observing sedimentation behavior in different solvents, such as sucrose-containing buffers and deuterated solvents, we demonstrate how AUC gives unique information on particle structure, density, and homogeneity, enabling the detection of water-loaded cavities and providing valuable information for nanomedicine developers.