Calendar
Commons seminar: Sabrina Leslie
Seminarium
From:
2024-05-21 16:15
to
17:00
Place: k-space, Fys:Q179, LU
Contact: emma [dot] sparr [at] fkem1 [dot] lu [dot] se
A COMMONS seminar by visiting professor Sabrina Leslie USB Vancouver
Title: Single-molecule and single-cell microscopy of mRNA-lipid-nanoparticles:
applying nanoscale physics to advance nanomedicines
Time: 21/05 16:15-17:00
Place: k-space, Fys:Q179, LU
https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/67689620156
Abstract:
n response to the pandemic, new mRNA-LNP products were developed and
injected into billions of human arms. Despite the success of these
nanomedicines in suppressing the pandemic at the level of the
population, at the level of the individual particle the efficiency of
this product is less than a few percent. This presents an important
opportunity for microscopists and therapeutic developers to work
together to improve these products and to create a vast array of new
nanomedicines ranging from COVID19 vaccines to cancer treatments. In
this talk, I will present quantitative single-particle and single-cell
investigations of mRNA LNPs which make use of the CLiC (Convex
Lens-induced Confinement) microscopy technique, which we have pioneered
and applied to study the interactions of single molecules and particles,
without tethers and in cell-like conditions. Here, CLiC imaging enables
simultaneous single-particle measurements of multiple properties of mRNA
LNPs, such as the distribution of size and mRNA-payload, as well as
interaction rates in response to changes in solution conditions and
other molecules. Importantly these single-particle measurements can be
made in correlation with observations of their dynamic trajectories and
interactions within cells. This research is collaborative with Prof.
Pieter Cullis and the Nanomedicine Center for Excellence based at UBC
and aims to characterize and understand the mechanisms of action of
emerging classes of therapeutics and vaccines, so as to ultimately
enable their optimization and come closer to addressing patients’ needs.
For example, we introduce a new approach to imaging the properties of
individual confined, freely diffusing mRNA LNPs during a dynamic change
in solution pH, which is relevant to understanding mRNA LNP delivery in
cells as well as aspects of their manufacturing. Over the long term and
in collaboration with health scientists, we are working
towards correlating our detailed multi-scale data sets, including
single-particle measurements made in vitro as well as in cells and
tissues, with clinical results, to create a through-line of
understanding of vaccine/drug effectiveness from the microscopic to
clinical scale. This talk will begin with our publications in ACS Nano
(Kamanzi et al, 2021, 2023), share results from two additional
manuscripts in review and preparation, and describe our
ongoing collaboration with health scientists to better understand
mRNA-LNP vaccines and medicines through new biophysical measurements.