Avanti® Polar Lipids Mini Extruder
The Avanti ® Mini Extruder allows researchers and scientists to prepare large, unilamellar vesicles by extrusion in an efficient manner.
Production of liposomes for RNA nanotherapeutics
We got the Mini-Extruder from SigmaAldrich for use in our research in nano-scaled mRNA formulations at the Johannes Gutenberg University and to give feedback to SelectScience. After watching a short video of Avanti explaining the assembly, use, and cleaning procedure, I could start using it right away. The heating block is a convenient feature to raise the production temperature above phase transition temperature, if needed, with only a heating plate in addition. Even if a higher temperature is not needed, I recommend using the Mini-Extruder with the heating block for more stable handling. The two syringes are fixated by the heating block by a metal clip so that they are protected from bending or breaking, which is often a problem when handling HAMILTON syringes without fixation. A common extrusion problem is also rupture of the membrane. Luckily, I was saved from this frustrating experience due to the construction of the membrane between two filter supports and the O-rings. The liposomes I produced showed a low polydispersity index and mono modal sizes and zeta potentials. One little disadvantage is that the cleaning procedure did take me some time because of the many small pieces, but that fact also gives the possibility to exchange parts if necessary. After disassembly, carefully check that every thread is tight! Although the whole extruder with current supply is not cheap, I would not spend the money on a less stable extrusion system. To conclude, the Mini-Extruder is easy to use, robust, and showed satisfying liposome characteristics.
Review Date: 22 Dec 2019 | Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Quickly clean all wetted parts, reducing downtime between production of vesicles from different lipid species.
Generate uniform populations of unilamellar liposomes without the use of solvents or detergents.
Vesicle size can be readily controlled by polycarbonate membrane selection.
Merck is with SigmaAldrich.com, the exclusive provider of Avanti® Polar Lipids research products for all countries except the United States.