The Governors of the University of Alberta

Published purpose

This Project seeks to revolutionize mRNA therapy delivery by creating a platform that precisely targets specific immune cell types, enabling more effective, safer treatments. Unlike conventional lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations, which often depend on passive targeting or liver-specific delivery (e.g., via GalNAc), this innovative approach employs glycan-based targeting ligands to specifically bind glycan-binding proteins (GBPs) uniquely expressed on diverse immune cells. Central to this work is a cell-based assay that evaluates glycan-targeted LNPs for their ability to selectively bind to model cell lines expressing specific GBPs and efficiently deliver their mRNA cargo. This assay is critical for assessing ligand selectivity, ensuring precise targeting among diverse immune cells. The technology’s potential impact is vast, offering new therapeutic avenues for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases by enabling safer, more accurate delivery of mRNA therapies (e.g., in situ CAR-NK therapies to enhance immune cells against tumours).