When lipids meet water – structure and function of smart lipid-based material by Professor Tommy Nylander

One feature of lipids self-assembly is that they can form nano-sized cavities as smart matrices for including bioactive molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. The application of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), formed thanks to lipid self-assembly, as delivery vehicles in food and pharmaceutical applications has been increasing during the last years. The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) was key to use for the delivery mRNA in the successful launch of the vaccine against Covid 19. We have previously demonstrated the use of sponge phase (L3) LNPs for encapsulation of biomolecules such as enzymes. Of particular interest is to understand the processes that can occur when LNPs interact with interfaces such as biomembranes, which can be studied by surface techniques. We will also discuss the nature of the oil/water-interphase and how the processes that can occur during lipolysis can change the structure and composition in the interfacial layer.

The main theme of Prof. Nylander scientific activity has been to relate interfacial behaviour of surface-active molecule to their solution behaviour. The focus has been on molecules of biological origin, e.g. proteins and lipids, and the self-assembled structures they form in bulk and at interfaces with relevance for fundamental food structure. His research aims to reveal the relationship between structure and function of food as promotor of health and well-being. In his research, he uses a range of advanced techniques based on light, x-ray and neutron scattering. He has published nearly 300 scientific articles and book chapters with many academic as well as industrial collaborators and is the recipient of several awards including Norblad-Ekstrand-medal from Swedish Chemical Society and 2023 Lectureship award (LA) of the Japanese Chemical Society, Colloid and Interface division.