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Gene-therapy Inspired Polycation Coating for Protection of DNA Origami Nanostructures
Published on: January 19, 2019
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DNA polyplexes with dendritic glycopolymer-entrapped gold nanoparticles
Jens Rumschöttel1, Sabine Kosmella1, Claudia Prietzel1
1Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|March 21, 2017
Summary
Researchers created novel gold nanoparticle-polymer complexes for gene delivery. These polyplexes, containing salmon DNA and gold nanoparticles within a sugar-modified polymer, show enhanced DNA compactization for future gene delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials Science
- Gene Delivery Systems
Background:
- Polyplexes are crucial for gene delivery, but their structure and efficiency can be improved.
- Incorporating nanoparticles into polymer architectures offers new possibilities for controlled delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize novel polyplexes composed of salmon DNA, gold nanoparticles, and a sugar-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI-Mal).
- To investigate the influence of embedded gold nanoparticles on polyplex structure and DNA compactization.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
- Zeta Potential Measurements
- Micro Differential Scanning Calorimetry (μ-DSC)
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Main Results:
- Characterization revealed spherical polyplex particles (approx. 150nm) with a core-shell structure.
- Gold nanoparticles (approx. 2nm) embedded in the PEI-Mal polymer shell influenced polyplex formation.
- DNA was observed to be more compactized within the core of the polyplexes.
Conclusions:
- The developed polyplexes exhibit a more compact core-shell structure due to the embedded gold nanoparticles.
- These gold nanoparticle-polymer complexes show promise as components for future gene delivery experiments.
