The lab of Dr. Sabrina Leslie (MSL, Physics and Astronomy; SBME affiliate member) brings together researchers and approaches from physics and biology to drive forward the field of nanomedicine.
Their work involves the use of their high-resolution Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC) imaging technology to look closely at lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which can act as delivery vehicles in therapeutics like the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
By watching the interactions of these LNPs with cells at the single-particle level, their work can provide insight into the efficiency of nanomedicine release, how to pack more ‘medicine’ into a single particle, and how the process of formulating these LNPs can affect their structure and function. All of this information can help with both the development of new therapies that use LNPs as a delivery vehicle, as well as making existing ones even more efficient and effective.
We decided to catch up with some of the trainees in the lab to talk about some of their recent findings, what they enjoy about their work, and also some of the challenges they face in their research.
