Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) are nano-sized delivery systems for genetic materials, such as mRNA, capable of protecting them in the body and reaching the target cells. Ionizable lipids are a key component of LNPs, facilitating the delivery and release of mRNA into cells. The lipid ALC315 was used in the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and, notably, was used as a mixture of three stereoisomers. Stereoisomers are similar to our hands, the connectivity is nearly the same, however, they both fit into different shaped gloves. As such, they can have different biological functions.
Nonetheless, the ALC315 lipid has only been studied as a mixture of its stereoisomers. As such, a research team from the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, WPI-ICReDD at Hokkaido University, and the University of Osaka synthesized and studied each stereoisomer individually. Their results could contribute to even safer vaccines.
Read more>> (Hokkaido University’s Press Release)
The full article is open access.
