Quantitative Lamellarity Analysis with Cryo-TEM
Cryo-TEM imaging provides detailed lamellarity analysis across particle populations, including quantification of:
- Uni- & multilamellar particles
- Fraction of particles with multiple bilayers
- Presence of blebbing
Lamellarity analysis can be performed on a range of formulations:
Cryo-TEM is the only technique capable of visualizing blebs on lipid nanoparticles.
Blebs, abnormally shaped aqueous compartments, and can be empty or loaded with payload, such as mRNA.
Cryo-TEM imaging reveals bleb morphology and internal texture, providing critical insights into:
- Presence of blebs in LNP formulations
- Fraction of blebbed particles
- Payload distribution within blebbed formulations
For an in-depth look into LNP blebbing analysis with cryo-TEM, check out our blog.

Samples we Can Perform Lamellarity Analysis On

Our experts have many years’ experience using TEM-based methods, particularly cryo-TEM, for analyzing particle lamellarity.
Direct determination of particle morphology is a critical aspect of nanoparticle characterization. Typical analyses include particle size distribution, shape, and overall appearance of particles in a sample.
Lamellarity analysis is particularly important. Lamellarity is the number of lipid bilayers in a liposome or lipid nanoparticle (LNP). Cryo-TEM can also visualize things like bleb formations in your lipid nanoparticle (LNP). Lamellarity directly affects liposome properties and behavior for example determining encapsulation efficiency and influencing drug release. Therefore, proper characterization of nanoparticle lamellarity is crucial to understand the potential impact on bioactivity.
Our automated methods provide reliable high-throughput image acquisition and help answer questions on size, shape, lamellarity, cargo load, and surface morphology. In addition, cryo-TEM can help evaluate the influence of storage conditions (pH, temperature, and time) on liposome or lipid nanoparticle (LNP) morphology.
See an in depth study of lamellarity & blebbing analysis on LNPs in our white paper here.