The tiny fat spheres delivering the next generation of medicine
In short: How do you get life-saving medicine into a cell without it breaking down first? Engineer Kathryn A. Whitehead explains the engineering behind lipid nanoparticles, the delivery vehicles currently powering mRNA vaccines and future treatments for HIV and cancer.
Lipid nanoparticles are microscopic balls of fat designed to act as transport vehicles for cutting-edge therapies. Because many medicines are fragile, they require a protective shell to navigate the body's internal environment and successfully enter cells.
Whitehead's work on these nanoparticles is already a cornerstone of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Beyond the pandemic, this technology is being developed to create new treatments for serious diseases, including Ebola, HIV, and various types of cancer.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kathryn A. Whitehead: The tiny balls of fat that could revolutionize medicine | TED
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