Grant: CIHR Fellowship

My project is focused on developing a new type of tiny particles called polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (pLNP) to improve how genes are delivered to cells both in the liver and throughout the body. These particles are designed to overcome two big problems with current technology: poor release of genetic material inside cells and limited ability to target cells outside the liver. By using special pH-sensitive materials, pLNPs aim to release their genetic cargo more effectively inside cells and reach a broader range of tissues beyond the liver. This innovation could significantly advance gene therapy, which involves delivering therapeutic genes to treat various diseases. I will use advanced techniques to create and test a wide variety of pLNPs in living organisms. I will build a library of different formulations, each with unique targeting and delivery capabilities. In the future, the best formulations can be selected from my library to deliver genes specifically and efficiently to treat different diseases.