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“RNApp”: Starting signal for practical work at the Fraunhofer IST
RNA-based medicines and treatment methods open up a new dimension in modern medicine. Despite their potential, RNA-based therapies are faced with major challenges: The instability of RNA and its rapid degradation in the body, combined with the necessity of ultra-cold storage or encapsulation, mean that innovative technological solutions are required in order to ensure efficacy and safety. This is where the Research Training Group “RNApp” comes in, with a total of twelve doctoral projects - among them the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST.
The aim of the joint project RNApp is the transfer of results from fundamental research into clinical practice. In individual sub-projects, various issues relating to the production, formulation and stabilization of RNA in liquid nanoparticles, so-called LNP-RNA, are being investigated. The joint project is interdisciplinary in its approach: Scientists, pharmacists, engineers and physicians are working together in order to gain new insights and develop solutions for RNA-based medicinal products.
One of the doctoral projects is being carried out at the Fraunhofer IST. The work of doctoral student and research associate Johanna Reus focuses on the further development of packaging possibilities and the storage stability of RNA therapeutics. The aim is to dry the RNA-LNP systems in order to make storage simpler and to develop new packaging concepts. In particular, the interactions of RNA-LNP systems from solid and dried formulations must thereby be investigated.
The practical work is now entering the first round. In order to establish the status quo, the interaction of liquid medicinal products and glass will be investigated in a first step. “This is currently the most common dosage form of mRNA-LNP preparations,” explained the doctoral student. “As soon as we have comprehensively investigated the interaction of liquid medicinal products with the surface of the primary packaging material and established suitable analytical methods, we will also be able to address the topics of alternative packaging materials and the packaging of dried RNA-LNP systems.”
In the long term, the findings from the twelve interdisciplinary doctoral projects should provide a contribution towards making RNA-based medicines more effective, more stable and easier to use.
Background information on “RNApp”
The Research Training Group “RNApp” is an interdisciplinary joint project that is being supported by the state government of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation with 3.2 million euros within the framework of the “zukunft.niedersachsen” funding program. It is comprised of twelve doctoral projects, which are assisted by a specially established post-graduate school. Responsibility for the coordination of the overall project lies with the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover MHH (Hanover medical university), with the Fraunhofer IST acting as deputy.
In terms of content, RNApp is divided into three research clusters: Cluster A is dedicated to the development of RNA lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNP), Cluster B is focusing on the drying and packaging of RNA, and Cluster C is researching the integration of RNA into implants. Each of these clusters consists of a number of individual projects with specific focal points.
RNApp not only strengthens RNA research, but also provides an important contribution towards the positioning of Lower Saxony as a location for future-oriented medical innovations.
https://www.ist.fraunhofer.de/en/press-media/2025/rnapp-starting-signal-for-prac...
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