.png?sfvrsn=1a7df424_3)
Microneedles for RNA Delivery
Pioneering micron-scale technologies for effective RNA delivery
The Microneedles for RNA Delivery group aims to develop microneedles and other micron-scale vehicles for the effective delivery of RNA vaccines and therapeutics across diverse biological barriers. Through an interdisciplinary approach involving materials science, bioengineering and immunology, we hope to advance innovative solutions that improve patients' health and quality of life, also potentially reducing the need for complex cold chain systems.
Focus Areas
- Microneedle-mediated RNA delivery across diverse biological barriers
- Enhancement of RNA loading and stability in microneedle patches
- Micron-scale RNA carriers for therapeutic and prophylactic applications
Our Capabilities
Design and production of microneedle patches
- Low-cost and scalable process to manufacture RNA-loaded microneedle patches
- Optimization of needle geometry, dimensions, compositions and manufacturing parameters
- Engineering microneedle formulations to improve the stability of RNA cargoes during manufacturing, storage and transportation
Characterization of microneedle patches
- Comprehensive in vitro assessment of RNA integrity and activity changes during microneedle manufacturing process
- Evaluation of RNA delivery and tissue penetration performance on ex vivo tissue models
- Validation of the effectiveness and safety of RNA-loaded microneedle patches in in vivo animal models
Development of micron-scale carriers for RNA delivery
- Fabrication of micron-scale RNA carriers using a cost-effective manufacturing process, followed by detailed in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo validation
- Designing carrier formulations to achieve targetability, high encapsulation and stability of RNA cargoes
Our Technologies
- Engineering microneedle patches for effective RNA delivery across diverse biological barriers
- Scalable and cost-effective technologies to improve the loading efficiency and stability of RNA cargoes in microneedle patches
- Development of micron-scale RNA carriers for therapeutic and prophylactic applications
.png?sfvrsn=bcc5f779_0 "MRD Technologies (resized)")
The Team
.jpg?sfvrsn=87b482f_0 "Bae Ki Hyun (resized)")
Our Track Record
Featured Publications
- Ki Hyun Bae, Kun Liang, Brandon Y. L. Seow, Jia Min Loh, Li Li, Fritz Lai, Qingfeng Chen, Motoichi Kurisawa, Steven T. G. Thng, Yi Yan Yang (2026) Protein-Capturing Microgel-Integrated Microneedle Array Patches for Enhanced Tip-Loading, Storage Stability, and Transdermal Delivery of Recombinant Proteins. Small e12624
- Nipuni Maniyamgama, Ki Hyun Bae, Jialing Lee, James H. P. Hui and Yi Yan Yang (2025) Enhanced mRNA and pDNA Delivery via PEGylated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles with an Optimally Balanced Ionizable/Cationic Lipid Content. Journal of Materials Chemistry B 13(38): 12172-12184.
- Dao Thi Hong Le, Chuan Yang, Yue Zhang, Gui Zhao, Melgious J. Y. Ang, Ki Hyun Bae, James H. P. Hui, James L. Hedrick and Yi Yan Yang (2025) Replacing PEG-Lipid with Amphiphilic Polycarbonates in mRNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles: Impact of Polycarbonate Structure on Physicochemical and Transfection Properties. Biomacromolecules 26(6): 3563-3575
- Li Zhang, Brandon Yi Loong Seow, Ki Hyun Bae, Yue Zhang, Kuo-Chieh Liao, Yue Wan and Yi Yan Yang (2025) Role of PEGylated lipid in lipid nanoparticle formulation for in vitro and in vivo delivery of mRNA vaccines. Journal of Controlled Release 380: 108-124
- Nipuni Maniyamgama, Ki Hyun Bae, Zi Wei Chang, Jialing Lee, Melgious J. Y. Ang, Yong Jie Tan, Lisa F. P. Ng, Laurent Renia, Kevin P. White and Yi Yan Yang (2025) Muco-Penetrating Lipid Nanoparticles Having a Liquid Core for Enhanced Intranasal mRNA Delivery. Advanced Science 12(11): 2407383
- Ki Hyun Bae, Bhuvaneshwari Shunmuganathan, Li Zhang, Andrew Lim, Rashi Gupta, Yanming Wang, Boon Lin Chua, Yang Wang, Yue Gu, Xinlei Qian, Isabelle Siang Ling Tan, Kiren Purushotorman, Paul A. MacAry, Kevin P. White and Yi Yan Yang (2024) Durable cross-protective neutralizing antibody responses elicited by lipid nanoparticle-formulated SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. npj Vaccines 9: 43
Connect with Us
A*STAR celebrates International Women's Day
From groundbreaking discoveries to cutting-edge research, our researchers are empowering the next generation of female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) leaders.