Creating RNA vaccine delivery systems

Next-generation RNA vaccines have been the focus of vaccine research since the early 2000s.

They are particularly useful in pandemic responses because the production of the antigen is not dependent on complicated production methods.

However, RNA by itself is not viable as a vaccine so a delivery system is usually required. To overcome this limitation, various viral vectors and non-viral nanoparticles have been explored as carriers.

Lipid-based nanoformulations such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), cationic nanoemulsions (CNEs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), are the most advanced systems and have shown great promise.

Two approaches are commonly adopted when using nanoparticles to deliver RNA molecules - the in-situ encapsulation approach or post adsorption approach.

The latter is essentially a two-step approach which was explored in a published scientific paper:

A Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Delivery of a Replicating Viral RNA Provides Single, Low-Dose Protection against Zika[1]

This application note summarizes the article and shows why the approach is suitable for large-scale manufacturing & responding to pandemic situations.

Download our application note for an introduction to how Microfluidizer^® Technology is used for creating RNA vaccine delivery systems.