Otomasyon, RNA taşıyan parçacıkların tasarımını hızlandırıyor

MIT chemical engineers have automated a method for producing lipid nanoparticles, the fatty packages that protect RNA medicines and help carry them into cells. Current manufacturing mixes lipid and RNA streams but offers limited control over particle size and shape. The MIT approach separates mixing into two stages. RNA and lipids first meet at equal flow rates; after a chosen delay, extra buffer stops further growth. Adjusting that delay changes particle size, while changing the buffer can influence shape. The new platform measures particles as they form and automatically modifies operating conditions until it reaches a requested size. Data from rapid experiments also trained a machine-learning model to predict which settings will create particular structures. Such control matters because otherwise similar particles can travel to different organs depending on their dimensions. Shape still has to be measured outside the automated system, but the process could reduce trial and error in screening delivery vehicles for RNA or DNA therapies.