The production of lipid nanoparticles using microfluidics to treat patients with orphan diseases.
NANOSPRESSO-NL aims to research, develop and implement a technology for decentralized and small-scale production of high quality and affordable nucleic acid nanomedicines for the treatment of orphan diseases.
The European definition of an orphan disease is synonym to a rare disease; a condition that affects not more than 1 person per 2000 in the European population. Orphan diseases currently affect 3.5% – 5.9% of the worldwide population. Rare diseases have significant impact as they are often chronic, commonly progressive and can be life-threatening. Most orphan diseases affect life expectancy and lead to physical, emotional and/or psychosocial limitations with a wide range of disabilities when left untreated. Unfortunately, there is a lack of effective personalized treatment options for many patients with (ultra-)orphan diseases. As 72% of orphan diseases are genetic, administering mRNA for the defective or missing protein is an effective treatment option for many rare diseases.
The research group Applied Nanotechnology (Saxion) together with the University of Twente, University of Utrecht (UMCU) and the company Solstice Pharmaceuticals focus on developing and validating the technological part (‘Machine’) within the Nanospresso consortium. The technological part includes producing lipid nanoparticles with microfluidics and analyzing their characteristics and biological effectiveness.
Recent research has shown that producing empty LNPs and adding the mRNA later (post-encapsulation) are as effective as encapsulating the mRNA during LNP production.
Within this internship you will analyze which microfluidic chip is best to use to produce empty LNPs. Moreover, post-encapsulation with mRNA will be analyzed, which effect this has on LNP characteristics (size, polydispersity index and zeta potential) and transfection efficiency. Results are compared with previous results on direct mRNA-encapsulated LNPs.
Project duration:
Fall 26/27
Internship or graduation project:
Open for internship or graduation project
Educational programs:
- Biology and Medical Laboratory Research (both core task Research and Innovation)
Interested? Please send your motivation letter and CV before the 7th of June 2026 to appliednanotechnology.led@saxion.nl and include Floor Wolbers (f.wolbers@saxion.nl) in the CC.