Promega Authorizes UBC RNA & Formulation Core to Distribute NanoLuc-Encoding mRNA for LNP and mRNA Delivery Research

Madison, WI USA. (April 28, 2026)

A new agreement between Promega Corporation and the RNA & Formulation Core at the University of British Columbia will enable the facility to manufacture and distribute mRNA constructs incorporating the sequence encoding NanoLuc® luciferase. This will facilitate researchers working with mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to apply the powerful bioluminescent reporter in workflows aimed at measuring mRNA delivery and expression across LNP and therapeutic mRNA research applications.

“Luciferase-based systems have played a central role in RNA research and delivery development for decades,” says Andrew Varley, Director of the RNA & Formulation Core at the University of British Columbia. “Through this agreement with Promega, we will be able to offer next-generation NanoLuc® RNA reagents that support a wide range of bright intracellular, secreted and transient luminescent controls.”

NanoLuc® Luciferase in RNA and Lipid Nanoparticle Research

mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) research has rapidly expanded since the arrival of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Researchers are developing therapeutic strategies that use LNPs to deliver mRNA to specific organs and tissues. A key challenge of this work is ensuring that mRNA cargo is reaching the correct target and being translated upon arrival.

When NanoLuc-encoding mRNA is delivered and translated inside a cell, the resulting NanoLuc protein produces a bioluminescent signal that indicates whether the mRNA reached its target and was successfully expressed. NanoLuc is a small, highly-stable enzyme engineered at Promega for optimal performance as a luminescent reporter. These properties make NanoLuc-encoding mRNA a particularly valuable tool for researchers working to optimize mRNA delivery systems, where precise, sensitive measurement of expression is essential.

“NanoLuc was engineered to give researchers a more sensitive and reliable signal than conventional reporter systems,” says Kevin Kopish, Associate Fellow of Product Discovery & Adoption at Promega. “The UBC RNA & Formulation Core has the infrastructure and expertise to deliver this technology into the labs that are pushing the mRNA and LNP field forward.”

The UBC RNA & Formulation Core simplifies access for labs to professionally produced, quality-controlled NanoLuc-encoding mRNA, removing the independent licensing and in-house production requirements that previously limited access. NanoLuc-encoding mRNA is immediately available to order through the UBC RNA & Formulation Core.

Learn more about NanoLuc® luciferase at www.promega.com/nanoluc

Quick Facts

• Promega Corporation has authorized the University of British Columbia RNA & Formulation Core to manufacture and distribute mRNA constructs incorporating the sequence encoding NanoLuc® luciferase.
• NanoLuc® luciferase is a small (19.1kDa), highly stable bioluminescent reporter engineered by Promega, producing a signal more than 150 times brighter than conventional luciferase systems.
• Research applications include LNP delivery optimization, mRNA vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy and self-amplifying RNA studies.
• Distribution is authorized for research use only to recipients at both non-profit institutions and for-profit companies.
• NanoLuc-encoding mRNA constructs are available to order through the UBC RNA & Formulation Core at rfcore.msl.ubc.ca
  

Promega Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions and technical support for the life sciences industry. The company's portfolio comprises more than 4,000 products and supports a broad spectrum of applications in the life sciences, including cell biology, DNA, RNA, and protein analysis, drug development, human identification, and molecular diagnostics. These tools and technologies have continuously evolved since the company's founding in 1978 and are used today by scientists and technical professionals in laboratories for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, as well as agricultural and environmental analysis. Promega is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin (USA), and is represented worldwide with offices in 16 countries and over 50 global distribution partners.

Promega GmbH, a subsidiary of Promega Corporation, has been represented in Germany since 1997. The company headquarters, which includes the European instrument service center, customer training laboratory, and European logistics center (EuroHub), is located in Walldorf, Germany. With more than 170 employees, Promega GmbH is responsible for the distribution and service of reagents and instruments in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. For more information, visit www.promega.com and YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, and the Promega Connections Blog.

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