Michael Mitchell, PhD, Associate Professor, Bioengineering at Penn Engineering and Director of the Lipid Nanoparticle Synthesis Core at the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, and a team of Penn researchers have invented a new, faster way to create lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that can deliver mRNA for medical applications. Using a technique called “click-like chemistry,” they can now synthesize key components of these delivery vehicles in just one step, significantly speeding up the standard LNP manufacturing process. This new method not only allows for rapid production but also enables precise targeting the LNPs to specific organs like the liver, lungs and spleen. These advancements have the potential to make mRNA treatments safer and more efficient, opening new possibilities for treating a variety of diseases. Read the full story here.