Lipid MK16
Instructions for Use
Product information
MK16 is an MK-0752-derived ionizable lipid developed for blood-brain-barrier-crossing mRNA delivery in preclinical mouse models. In the cited MK16 BLNP formulation, the authors reported an apparent LNP pKa of 6.86, a particle diameter of 137.0 ± 4.1 nm, 84.8 ± 1.5% mRNA encapsulation, and brain FLuc expression 8.3-fold above an MC3 LNP comparator after intravenous administration. The study also reported mRNA expression in neurons, astrocytes, brain capillary endothelial cells and microglia, as well as proof-of-concept results in cocaine-conditioned-place-preference and orthotopic glioblastoma models. All formulation and performance information shown below is literature-derived study evidence, not a product specification or a guarantee of reproducible LNP performance.
| CAS No. | Not available |
| Chemical Name | Lipid MK16 |
| Formula | C55H91ClF2N2O7S |
| M.Wt | 997.84 |
| Purity | ELSD-HPLC>95% |
| Storage | Original product: up to 1 year under the storage conditions stated on the vial, kept tightly sealed. Stock solutions: aliquots at -20°C, generally up to one month. |
| Shipping condition | Ships from Shanghai. Pure lipid is stable during ice-pack transport. |
Formulation & study context
Literature information refers to the cited study and its particular formulation. Administration routes are research context, not clinical instructions or a guarantee of performance.
| Component | Reported molar ratio | Role |
|---|---|---|
| MK16 | 60 | Ionizable lipid |
| DOPE | 30 | Helper phospholipid |
| Cholesterol | 40 | Sterol |
| DMG-PEG2k | 0.75 | PEG lipid |
| Reported ratio sum | 130.75 | Original ratio retained |
| N/P ratio | Not reported in the cited article |
| Total lipid:cargo weight ratio | 12.5:1 MK16:mRNA (w/w); this is not an N/P ratio |
| Buffer & pH | Not reported in the cited article or supplied methods |
| Cargo | Firefly luciferase (FLuc) mRNA |
| Administration route | Intravenous tail-vein injection |
| Dose | 0.5 mg mRNA/kg, single dose |
| Animal model | C57BL/6J mice |
| Formulation process | Lipids in an ethanol phase and mRNA in an aqueous phase; the cited article refers to a previously published method and does not report the device, flow rates, buffer exchange or final formulation buffer |
N/P is the molar ratio of specified lipid nitrogen groups to nucleic-acid phosphate groups. A lipid:cargo mass ratio is a different quantity and must not be used as N/P.
Stock-solution preparation table
Calculated from the product-page molecular weight: 997.84 g/mol. Volumes are final solution volumes.
| Lipid mass | 1 mM | 5 mM | 10 mM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 10.022 mL | 2.004 mL | 1.002 mL |
| 25 mg | 25.054 mL | 5.011 mL | 2.505 mL |
| 50 mg | 50.108 mL | 10.022 mL | 5.011 mL |
| 100 mg | 100.216 mL | 20.043 mL | 10.022 mL |
| 250 mg | 250.541 mL | 50.108 mL | 25.054 mL |
Volume (mL) = mass (mg) × 1000 / [MW (g/mol) × concentration (mM)]. These are mathematical conversions, not measured solubility or validated solvent recommendations. Confirm solvent compatibility and the molecular weight of the exact material before use.
Open editable solution calculators →Handling & storage
Provided that storage conditions are as stated on the product vial and the vial is kept tightly sealed, the product can be stored for up to 1 year.
Wherever possible, prepare and use solutions on the same day. If stock solutions must be prepared in advance, store them as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20°C. Generally, these will be usable for up to one month.
Before use, and prior to opening the vial, allow the product to equilibrate to room temperature for at least 1 hour.
References
Cited literature for this formulation and performance dataset Wang C, Xue Y, Markovic T, et al. Blood-brain-barrier-crossing lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery to the central nervous system. Nature Materials. 2025;24:1653-1663. DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-02114-5 Structure: Figure 3c and Supplementary Scheme S2; exact pKa: Supplementary Figure 6d; optimized composition: main text p. 1654; particle properties and biodistribution: main text p. 1656 and Supplementary Figures 8-10; cellular delivery: main text pp. 1657-1658; disease-model findings: Figures 5-6.