<unk>  is a synthetic amino lipid which is used in combination with other lipids to form lipid nanoparticles. These are used for the delivery of mRNA-based vaccines, and in particular<unk>  forms part of the drug delivery system for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Lipid nanoparticles are an extension of earlier RNA transfection methods such as cationic liposomes. Such systems are needed to protect the delicate mRNA molecules and shuttle them into cells without the immune system destroying them first. The nanoparticles enter the cells by triggering receptor-mediated endocytosis. Ionisable lipids like<unk>  hold a neutral charge at physiological pH but are positively charged within the nanoparticle (the amine group is protonated to form an ammonium cation). This allows them to bind to the negatively charged backbone of mRNA. The rest of the nanoparticle is formed from PEGylated lipids, which help stabilize the particle, and phospholipids and cholesterol molecules that contribute to the particle’s structure.<unk>  is also used for non-invasive bioluminescence imaging when<unk>  containing luciferase-encoding mRNA is used for in-vivo luciferase expression in animal models.
SM-102
Pen-Strep
OM-85
IEC 62304
SmeT
BeKm-1 toxin
Domoic acid
Lime 