Research Seminar: Balancing performance and degradation of RNA nanoparticles through targeted changes in ionizable lipid molecular structure – Dr. Omar F. Khan

 
 

Balancing performance and degradation of RNA nanoparticles through targeted changes in ionizable lipid molecular structure
Dr. Omar F. Khan | Institute of Biomedical Engineering; University of Toronto
 
Talk Description:
Ionizable lipid are combined with excipients and nucleic acids to form lipid nanoparticles. The molecular design of these ionizable lipids have an incredible impact on the performance of the resulting lipid nanoparticles. In this talk, I will discuss how my lab incorporates supramolecular, biomaterial and immunological concepts into our design process to create chemically diverse and efficacious ionizable lipids. Using both rational design and structure-function studies, I’ll review how my group has successfully used internal molecular motifs, noncovalent binding and heteroatomic positioning to control payload capacity, mRNA expression, safety, pharmacokinetics and stability. As an accessible (and enjoyable) introduction to chemistry, biomaterial and immunology concepts, this talk will also illustrate how seemingly disparately fields can be effectively integrated through engineering.
 
Location:
Life Sciences Institute
Lecture Theatre 1003 (LSC 1003)