Creating new lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic material to the brain
Official title: Development of novel lipid nanoparticles for nucleic acids delivery in the brain
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11095264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help deliver important treatments directly to brain cells using tiny particles that can safely cross into the brain, which could be especially helpful for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $843,806 |
| NIH project number | 1U01EB035521-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological conditions or those who do not have a diagnosis related to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that can effectively deliver nucleic acids, such as RNA, directly to brain cells. These nanoparticles are designed to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is a significant challenge in treating neurological disorders. By engineering these LNPs to be biocompatible and biodegradable, the research aims to enhance the stability of the nucleic acids and ensure their safe delivery to targeted brain regions. The study will utilize various animal models to test the effectiveness of these nanoparticles in delivering therapeutic agents to neurons affected by conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders by enabling targeted delivery of genetic therapies to the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery, indicating a potential for success in this novel application for brain therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Yizhou — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Dong, Yizhou
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.