The electron microscopy Facility at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), has developed a workflow for analysis of lipid nanoparticle (LNPs) using automated cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) imaging in combination with supervised machine learning (sML) particle analysis. Using this workflow the size and morphology of EVs can be analyzed, also in 3D.

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Lipid nanoparticle (LNPs) are small spherical lipid based particles that are often used as delivery systems. LNP have gained large interest in their use drug and RNA delivery systems in their used for vaccines. LNPs can be synthesized in different ways. Various methods to monitor and evaluate product quality are used during LNP manufacturing, including testing of polydispersity, particle size, drug loading efficiency. Cryo-EM is a valuable high-resolution imaging technique that can directly visualize the structure of the lipid particle and RNA, as well ass contaminants and other particles and therefore can be a valuable additional analysis technique.

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We are offering a service to academic and industrial researchers who may have an interest in visual analysis of purified LNP samples, in 2D, but also in 3D using cryo electron tomography.