LC for LNP RNA Molecular Composition Analysis

Oligos, Oligos, Oligos!
Oligonucleotide therapeutics and reagents are everywhere. They are helping the world address previously untreatable diseases, and they are also being used in new ways to sensitively quantify and sequence important translational research samples. Whether it be a CRISPR guide RNA, lipid conjugated anti-sense oligonucleotide, or a specially modified assay probe, these molecules must be tested to ensure they have the right sequence, pinpoint-specific modifications, conjugate moieties and purities. And when dosed as a therapeutic, they need to be carefully quantified to confirm pharmacokinetic models.
Join the Waters Chromatography and LC-MS Team and their collaborators from MRIGlobal, Regeneron, and Acuitas Therapeutics in this special episodic, 3 week webinar series to learn more about the science of oligos and the power of LC-based approaches to analyze them.
EPISODE 3
Part 1: Deformulation and Nucleic Acid Quantification in LNPs Using Size-Exclusion Chromatography
Learn about an alternative high-throughput approach for the deformulation and quantification of nucleic acid payloads in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Using a low adsorption 2.5 µm SEC 450 Å Column, this size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) method employs deformulating conditions with detergent and organic solvents in the mobile phase to disrupt LNPs without prior sample treatment.
Presenter: Mateusz Imiolek, PhD (Waters Corporation, Geneva, Switzerland)
Mateusz joined Waters in 2022 where he has been studying challenges associated with characterizing gene therapeutics and ensuring that new Waters products are fit for this purpose. Before that, he completed his academic training in bioorganic chemistry, which allows him to apply detailed molecular insights to ensure the newly developed columns and assays are carefully designed for such analytes.
Part 2: High-Throughput Nucleic Acid and Lipid Adduct Quantification in LNPs Using Ion-Paired Reverse-Phase Chromatography
A high-throughput LC-based assay developed for nucleic acid quantification in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). By using a short, low adsorption 2.5 µm BEH C18 column, the assay allows for the efficient separation of LNP payloads, including guide RNA and mRNA, from detergent-disrupted samples. The assay is designed for excellent robustness and reproducibility, making it suitable for routine application.
Presenter: Razvan Cojocaru (Research Scientist II, Acuitas Therapeutics)
Razvan has been a research scientist in the Analytical department at Acuitas Therapeutics since 2021, where he focuses on developing new methodology for characterizing nucleic acids in LNP therapeutics. Prior to Acuitas, Razvan completed his studies at Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, where he focused on Ribozyme and RNA Aptamer in vitro selection and optimization.
