Ionizable lipid design & synthesis
New lipid chemistries that control potency, biodegradability, and endosomal escape
Ionizable lipids are the active ingredient of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems: they bind nucleic acid cargo, drive cellular uptake, and determine whether that cargo escapes the endosome to reach the cytoplasm. We design and synthesize new ionizable lipid architectures — including branched endosomal disruptor (BEND) lipids — and build structure–activity relationships that link lipid chemistry to delivery outcomes in vivo. The goal is a rational design toolkit for lipids tailored to specific cargoes, tissues, and diseases.