lipid nanoparticle (LNP)

A tiny sphere made of fats (lipids) that carries fragile genetic material, such as mRNA, into cells. Without it, mRNA would break down in the body before it could be used.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines each use a lipid nanoparticle made of four lipids: an ionisable lipid (ALC-0315 in Pfizer, SM-102 in Moderna), a helper lipid (DSPC), cholesterol, and a PEG-lipid. The mixture assembles around the mRNA into a particle about the size of a virus, is taken up by the cell, and releases the mRNA inside. The ingredient lists are published by regulators, including the FDA, Health Canada and the European Medicines Agency.

A lipid nanoparticle is a chemical package. It contains no electronics, sensors or antennas, and it is not a device.

On the record: claims that COVID-19 vaccines contain graphene oxide or other graphene materials have been checked repeatedly by fact-checkers including Reuters, AFP and PolitiFact, and found false. Graphene oxide is not on any published ingredient list, and Pfizer has stated it is not used in making its vaccine.

Related terms: nanoparticle, nanomedicine, mRNA, graphene

Sources: Components of COVID-19 vaccines — Health Canada; LNP carriers of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines — Pharmaceutics (2021); COVID-19 vaccines do not contain graphene — PolitiFact (2022); Does the Pfizer vaccine contain graphene oxide? — Check Your Fact (2021)