journal article·2026-01Open access

Unique Aerofoil‐Structured Microfluidics for High Throughput Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation Screening and Scale‐up

Dongsheng Liu, Mingzhi Yu, Yuguo Zhang, Allen Mathew, Tianyu Guan, Liang Yao, Xianqing Wang, Wenxin Wang, Nan Zhang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 6

Abstract

Abstract Herein, a high‐throughput microfluidic platform is presented that addresses the challenges in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) formulation screening and scale‐up through the design of micromixers with unique aerofoil structures. These structures are optimized to enhance mixing and LNP formation across a wide flow rate range (0.2–50 mL min −1 ), using minimal reagent volumes (as low as 0.1 mL) up to liter‐scale production. A high‐throughput formulation screening instrument named MiNANO‐form and a microfluidic cartridge with eight parallel channels is introduced, which enables simultaneous synthesis of multiple LNP formulations with excellent quality (size 38–150 nm and polydispersity index (PDI), PDI < 0.2) and reproducibility. In addition, for a seamless scale‐up, the platform consists of a custom‐made modular microfluidic unit, named MiNANO‐scale, capable of continuous LNP production at up to 50 mL min −1 . The platform's performance is validated through mRNA and pDNA transfection, as well as siRNA uptake studies in HEK293, A549, and CFBE cells.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: RNA Interference and Gene Delivery · 3D Printing in Biomedical Research · Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Centre of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT‐Dublin) School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering University College Dublin Dublin D04 V1W8 Ireland

Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering South East Technological University Carlow R93 V960 Ireland

The Centre for Research and Enterprise in Engineering (engCORE) South East Technological University Carlow R93 V960 Ireland

Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine University College Dublin Dublin D04 V1W8 Ireland

Funding

Enterprise Ireland

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