Abstract (short version, read more on the event page)

We employed small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to investigate the distribution of components in the LNP and the effect that ApoE could have on the LNP structure. In addition, we have developed a sensor platform based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) to assess the binding affinity of serum protein to LNPs with different size and surface composition.

Combining these approaches, we could determine how changes in the LNP formulation, and hence structure, affect the protein binding to LNPs.

Bio

Assistant Prof. Federica Sebastiani did her master studies in Physics with specialization in Biophysics at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (Italy). She obtained her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Reading (UK) in 2014 with a thesis entitled “Neutron Reflectometry and ellipsometry applied to atmospheric night-time oxidation”, her PhD work was performed at the Institut Laue-Langevin (Grenoble, France). In 2015, she did a postdoc at CR Competence AB (Lund, Sweden) within a MSCA Initial Training Network (BIBAFOODS) then she moved to Malmö University, Dept. of Biomedical Science, and received funding for a project aimed at understanding the structure of LNPs for mRNA delivery. Shortly before starting her current position at the Dept. of Pharmacy of Copenhagen University, she has been awarded a MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship.