Biophysical characterization of viral and lipid-based vectors

Characterization of nucleic acid-based vaccines delivered as viral and non-viral vectors requires fit-for-purpose analytics and a significant level of method understanding for robust results and adequate interpretation of experimental findings collected for these highly complex samples.

In this peer-reviewed paper, we demonstrate how first-principle, label-free biophysical techniques can be applied to the characterization of physical and chemical quality attributes of viruses and lipid nanoparticles without the need for dedicated reagents and calibration reference standards. These results show that there is often a need for complementary and orthogonal techniques to obtain a fuller picture of a delivery vector, and the techniques to be used may vary with the nature of the vector, especially based on its size or components.

You’ll learn:

• How the combination of complementary label-free biophysical techniques have been successfully used for the characterization of physical and chemical attributes of rAAV and LNPs encapsulating mRNA
• Explore analytical techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), multiangle-DLS (MADLS), Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), multiple detection SEC and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
• How to apply these techniques to measure multiple, critical quality attributes, including particle size distribution, aggregation propensity, polydispersity, particle concentration, particle structural properties and nucleic acid payload