Lipid Nanoparticle Technologies for Nucleic Acid Delivery: A Nanoarchitectonics Perspective

Abstract

Abstract Lipid‐based nanoparticles have emerged as a clinically viable platform technology to deliver nucleic acids for a wide range of healthcare applications. Within this scope, one of the most exciting areas of recent progress and future innovation potential lies in the material science of lipid‐based nanoparticles, both to refine existing nanoparticle strategies and to develop new ones. Herein, the latest efforts to develop next‐generation lipid‐based nanoparticles are covered by taking a nanoarchitectonics perspective and the design, nucleic acid encapsulation methods, scalable production, and application prospects are critically analyzed for three classes of lipid‐based nanoparticles: 1) traditional lipid nanoparticles (LNPs); 2) lipoplexes; and 3) bicelles. Particular focus is placed on rationalizing how molecular self‐assembly principles enable advanced functionalities along with comparing and contrasting the different nanoarchitectures. The current development status of each class of lipid‐based nanoparticle is also evaluated and possible future directions in terms of overcoming clinical translation challenges and realizing new application opportunities are suggested.