Advancing lipid nanoparticle characterization: a real-world case study

Collaboration has always been at the heart of scientific progress. It’s through sharing knowledge, discussing ideas, and working alongside others that we make meaningful strides in solving the challenges that shape our fields. This is why I’m especially excited to invite you to an upcoming webinar featuring Mariana Hugo Silva, a talented young scientist I have had the pleasure of working with. 

I first met Mariana at the Applied Biophysics Forum in Drug Discovery and I have been collaborating with her on various projects since. I’ve been consistently impressed with her expertise in and passion for  lipid nanoparticle (LNP) characterization. A Postdoctoral Researcher at Ghent University, she is currently working closely with Pfizer to provide mechanistic insights into mRNA-LNP vaccines. Her doctoral work, at Limerick University, focused on developing innovative long-acting injectable formulations for small molecules, aimed at improving patient adherence through controlled drug release.

With a strong foundation in formulation science and industry experience, Mariana’s research conducted in close collaboration with Pfizer advances understanding of large-molecule delivery systems in biopharma. It is through efforts like these that we can help fill the gaps in our collective knowledge, particularly when it comes to biophysical characterization and understanding of complex systems, like LNPs, which are critical to the development of mRNA therapeutics and advanced drug delivery systems. 

n this webinar, Mariana will be presenting a real-world case study on characterizing lipid nanoparticles using: 

• dynamic light scattering (DLS)
• differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
• asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4-MALS-RI-DLS) 
• cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) 

She’ll discuss how integrating DSC into a comprehensive analytical toolbox helps us better understand the structural changes that occur in mRNA-LNPs under various stress conditions. This is an important step toward improving our ability to analyze and develop more effective and stable formulations. 

Webinar Details:

• Title: Four tools for characterizing lipid nanoparticles
• Speaker: Mariana Hugo Silva, University of Ghent
• Date & Time: June 18, 2025

In this webinar, you will learn:

• The value of integrating DSC into a broader analytical toolbox to gain deeper insights into nanoparticle behaviour alongside other techniques. 
• How DSC and complementary methods work together to reveal structural changes in mRNA-LNPs under different stress conditions. 
• Practical insights and lessons from a real-world case study, including challenges in LNP characterization and what these changes mean for formulation and process development. 
• Important considerations for data interpretation and troubleshooting during LNP analysis. 

Who Should Attend:

If you’re working with mRNA therapeutics, lipid nanoparticles, or advanced drug delivery systems, this webinar is for you. Researchers and industry professionals working in formulation, analytics, stability testing, or quality control, will gain valuable insights that can help enhance your approach to LNP characterization. 

This webinar is not just an opportunity to learn about the latest techniques in LNP analysis, but also to reflect on the importance of collaboration in advancing our understanding. It’s through partnerships, mentorship, and a shared commitment to scientific discovery that we can continue to make progress in areas like lipid nanoparticle characterization, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective therapies. 

I look forward to seeing you there and hope you will join us for this insightful session – register here >