Non-invasive nanoparticle barcoding in nonhuman primates.

Non-invasive nanoparticle barcoding enables simultaneous assessment of multiple LNPs in a single nonhuman primate with just 30 μl of serum.

• Why it matters: Understanding how different lipid nanoparticles behave in primates is crucial for developing effective mRNA therapies, but current methods require euthanasia and complex tissue analysis.
• What they did: The researchers developed snapCodes—benzylguanine-modified DNA barcodes—that covalently bind to an mRNA-encoded nanoluciferase-SNAP-tag fusion protein, allowing in vivo tracking through serum sequencing after intravenous administration of six LNPs in mice and primates.
• The result: This approach accurately measures mRNA delivery from multiple nanoparticles with minimal blood volume, reducing animal use and aiding the identification of promising nanoparticle formulations for clinical development.