Engineered lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic medicines more precisely
Official title: Engineering lipid nanoparticle platform for selective and enhanced delivery in vivo
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11386403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will improve lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver genetic medicines to specific body parts beyond the liver, aiming to help people with genetic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,633 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160285-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with genetic diseases who may benefit from tissue-targeted genetic or protein replacement therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those whose disease does not require targeted tissue delivery or who do not qualify for future clinical testing.
What this research studies
Researchers plan to redesign LNPs so they can carry mRNA or protein therapies to specific tissues, not just the liver. They will study how LNPs interact with body proteins and cells, and how adding natural ligands changes delivery efficiency and immune responses. Over five years, the project will test surface designs, safety, and effectiveness in preclinical models to move promising therapies closer to patients. The goal is a more precise, effective delivery platform for genetic diseases and protein replacement therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable safer and more effective delivery of genetic medicines to the right tissues, potentially improving treatments for patients with genetic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show that tuning LNP surface properties can influence delivery and immune responses, but precise tissue targeting remains challenging and is under active investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhattacharya, Chandrabali — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Bhattacharya, Chandrabali
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Neural signals that control energy and reproduction in fruit flies
Researchers are studying how the brain in fruit flies decides when to use energy and when to pause reproduction, with potential relevance to human metabolic and reproductive health.
-
How epithelial cells coordinate polarity to build tissues and understand cancer spread
A research project is studying how cells in tissues organize themselves and communicate to form healthy tissues and how these same processes can go wrong in cancer to drive invasion and spread.
-
Plasmonic nanoantenna boosts ultra-sensitive fluorescence for cancer biomarkers
A new technique uses plasmonic nanoantennas combined with super-hydrophobic surfaces to dramatically increase the detection of cancer-related proteins in very tiny samples.
-
Bile salt tweaks to prevent C. difficile infections
This project tests new bile-salt–based compounds to stop C. difficile spores from germinating and causing infection, aiming to protect people who are at risk in hospital settings.
-
Time-of-day exercise and social jetlag: protecting the heart and metabolic health
A study to see if misaligned daily schedules (social jetlag) reduce the benefits of exercise on heart and metabolic health in adults.
-
Neural pathways that control energy use and reproduction in a model fly
Researchers are studying how the brain of fruit flies controls energy use and reproductive state, with potential insights for human metabolic conditions.
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.