mRNA Core

The Core facilities are operated in collaboration between the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation and NSF AIRFoundry

(NSF DBI-2400135).

Goal

The mRNA Core provides an integrated platform for the design and production of research-grade mRNA, from sequence optimization through milligram-scale RNA synthesis, purification, and rigorous quality control. The Core supports both high-throughput screening of many RNA constructs and production of individual RNAs at scales up to 100mg, enabling projects to move efficiently from discovery to preclinical studies.

mRNA Services Offered (for information about LNP formulation, visit NSF AIRFoundry)

• UTR and codon-optimization of genes of interest to maximize mRNA expression and potency. 
• Small-scale (<0.5mg) and large-scale (>20mg) production of sequence-optimized and co-transcriptionally capped in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA. 
• Off-the-shelf IVT mRNAs encoding commonly requested genes, including reporters such as mCherry, Luciferase, and GFP, in addition to other research tools (ovalbumin, IL-12, Cas9). 
• Fluorescent labeling of mRNA (such as Cy5.5), LNPs (such as DiL, DiO, DiI), and mRNA-LNPs (dual labelling) for nanoparticle tracking, biodistribution, and microscopy.

Please note that all orders are placed and processed through iLab. Custom mRNAs, along with off-the-shelf products such as reporter mRNA and reporter mRNA-LNPs, are available for direct ordering through this link (opens in a new window).

Highlighted Capabilities

We perform in vitro transcription (IVT) reactions at a wide range of scales using a T7 RNA polymerase-based system. We fulfill large-scale requests for single RNAs (> 10mg, up to 100mg) in addition to requests for small-scale productions of many RNAs (< 0.5mg each, such as for screening studies; minimum order is 0.1mg/RNA). Our Hamilton STAR robotic liquid handling system performs parallel IVT reactions, making RNA screening studies feasible. Our RNA is column-purified to remove immunostimulatory double-stranded transcripts.

Rigorous RNA quality control. Each production is evaluated for RNA concentration, purity (A260/A280 ratio), size and integrity (Agilent Bioanalyzer), and lack of immunostimulation (α-dsRNA dot blot and in vitro IFN release assay).

Unless otherwise requested, our RNA is modified with N1-methylpseudouridine to ensure lack of innate immunogenicity, and co-transcriptionally capped. Our service supports other RNA modifications, such as Cy3 or Cy5 fluorophores. Prospective users typically initiate requests with an amino acid sequence, which our team codon-optimizes and clones into a standard expression vector. User-supplied plasmids may also be used for RNA production, with some restrictions (contact core Director or Facility Director for details about user-supplied plasmids).

Pricing 

Internal charges (University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia only):

• Consultation to aid construction design, pricing information or experiment planning: complimentary
• IVT mRNA: $1500/mg
  • Minimum order: 100ug
• LNPs (visit LNP Core): $1000/mg
  • Minimum order: 100ug for off-the-shelf mRNA-LNP and 200ug for custom mRNA-LNP

External charges (Academic and corporate):

• Consultation to aid construction design, pricing information or experiment planning: complimentary
• IVT mRNA: $2500/mg
  • Minimum order: 100ug
• LNPs: $1625/mg
  • Minimum order: 100ug for off-shelf mRNA-LNP and 500ug for custom mRNA-LNP

Contact Information

To explore how the Engineered mRNA and Targeted Nanomedicine core might be helpful to your project, or for pricing/quote, please contact Dr. Garima Dwivedi and Dr. Benjamin Davis to schedule an initial consultation.

Garima Dwivedi

Senior Research Investigator, Weissman Lab
Director, mRNA Core, Penn Institute of RNA innovation
4012, 1UCity Sq
25 N 38^th St
Philadelphia PA 19104

Email: garima.dwivedi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Benjamin Davis

User Facility Director, AIRFoundry
4072, 1UCity Sq
25 N 38^th St
Philadelphia PA 19104

Email: benjamin.davis@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

AIRFoundry