TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Bacterial Lipid Nanodiscs Platform

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Bacterial Lipid Nanodiscs Platform developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory provides a new way to study entire bacterial membranes in a controlled, nanoscale format derived directly from native lipid extracts. This platform offers a safer alternative to handling live high-risk pathogens while preserving the biological context that drives meaningful insights for vaccine design and antimicrobial discovery. Work Details The platform creates uniform nanoscale discs from total lipid extracts harvested from bacterial membranes. Membrane scaffold protein MSP1D1 encases the lipid mixture and forms a stable disc roughly 10 nanometers wide, retaining the full complement of native bacterial lipids in a membrane-like environment that supports realistic biological interactions without requiring synthetic lipids or live cells. The method adapts established nanodisc assembly techniques to incorporate entire bacterial lipid extracts rather than defined synthetic lipid mixtures. Total lipids from a pathogen are solubilized, combined with MSP1D1, and dialyzed under controlled conditions to allow the scaffold protein to form a discoidal structure around the heterogeneous lipid population. This approach was demonstrated using Yersinia pestis, capturing lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and diverse immunogenic lipids in an arrangement that mirrors their natural organization. Researchers can evaluate binding interactions, immune-stimulating properties, and potential antigenic targets in a stable platform that avoids the limitations of outer membrane vesicle purification. The platform has identified antibodies specific to E. coli LPS and Y. pestis membrane lipids, which are independently licensable. Period of Performance The geographic location(s) the contract will be performed (if provided) Bidder Requirements U.S. Patent pending; bidders must be capable of engaging in licensing agreements for patented and patent-pending inventions developed by LANL researchers.