Sulfonium lipid nanoparticles as a new platform for mRNA delivery
Official title: Developing sulfonium lipid nanoparticles as a novel platform for mRNA delivery
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11393916 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new type of lipid nanoparticle using sulfonium heads is being developed to deliver mRNA and may help treat acute lung injuries like ARDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $448,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160083-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393916 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient enrollment at this stage; preclinical development will inform future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation occurs in this stage of the research.
What this research studies
This project aims to expand the lipid toolbox by using sulfonium lipids to create safer, more effective mRNA-delivery nanoparticles. Researchers will broaden the chemical design, test how changes in head, linker, and tail parts influence delivery and biocompatibility, and study the mechanism of action. They will also test organ-targeted mRNA/sLNP formulations in small animal models of acute lung injury to see if this approach can improve lung-specific delivery and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better mRNA delivery technologies and new preclinical options for treating acute lung injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows sulfonium lipids can safely deliver mRNA in preclinical models, with this project aiming to optimize and broaden that approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yamin — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Li, Yamin
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.