Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

What is a Hypothesis?01:14

What is a Hypothesis?

15.2K
A hypothesis can be a simple sentence or statement about a property or any phenomenon observed or predicted for a population. It is usually a claim about a  property of the population. It can be stated for any field observations or experiments. A hypothesis statement cannot be said to be right or wrong as it is merely a statement. It needs to be tested through an elaborate data collection process and an appropriate statistical test. A hypothesis should be a general but not a vague...
15.2K
Types of Hypothesis Testing01:11

Types of Hypothesis Testing

28.1K
There are three types of hypothesis tests: right-tailed, left-tailed, and two-tailed.
When the null and alternative hypotheses are stated, it is observed that the null hypothesis is a neutral statement against which the alternative hypothesis is tested. The alternative hypothesis is a claim that instead has a certain direction. If the null hypothesis claims that p = 0.5, the alternative hypothesis would be an opposing statement to this and can be put either p > 0.5, p < 0.5, or p...
28.1K
Errors In Hypothesis Tests01:14

Errors In Hypothesis Tests

6.0K
When performing a hypothesis test, there are four possible outcomes depending on the actual truth (or falseness) of the null hypothesis and the decision to reject or not.
6.0K
Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence01:16

Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence

8.2K
The test of independence is a chi-square-based test used to determine whether two variables or factors are independent or dependent. This hypothesis test is used to examine the independence of the variables. One can construct two qualitative survey questions or experiments based on the variables in a contingency table. The goal is to see if the two variables are unrelated (independent) or related (dependent). The null and alternative hypotheses for this test are:
H0: The two variables (factors)...
8.2K
Statistical Hypothesis Testing01:16

Statistical Hypothesis Testing

7.0K
Hypothesis testing is a critical statistical procedure facilitating informed, evidence-based decisions. It begins with a hypothesis, which is a tentative explanation, or a prediction about a population parameter. This hypothesis can be either a null hypothesis (H0), indicating no effect or difference, or an alternative hypothesis (Ha), suggesting an effect or difference.
Statistical significance measures the probability that an observed result occurred by chance. If this probability, known as...
7.0K
Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

684
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role...
684

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Retina-specific long non-coding RNAs associated with inherited retinal disease genes.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

DNA damage-associated vesicle production in <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> is mediated by the maltocin endolysin.

Journal of bacteriology·2026
Same author

Optimizing macrophage-targeted intracellular delivery systems for safe and effective immunotherapies.

Advanced drug delivery reviews·2026
Same author

Non-viral strategies for transfection of the corneal endothelium.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society·2026
Same author

Finding the sweet spot between complexation and cytosolic release with different molecular weight branched polyethyleneimine polymers for mRNA delivery.

Drug delivery and translational research·2026
Same author

Predicting Agitation Stability of Monoclonal Antibodies during Developability Assessment.

Molecular pharmaceutics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

The Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Model Implantation
06:23

The Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Model Implantation

Published on: April 18, 2012

20.3K

The proton sponge hypothesis: Fable or fact?

Lotte M P Vermeulen1, Stefaan C De Smedt2, Katrien Remaut2

  • 1Lab. General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics : Official Journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik E.V
|June 3, 2018
PubMed
Summary

The proton sponge hypothesis explains how cationic polymers help gene therapy nanoparticles escape endosomes. This review examines conflicting evidence to reach a consensus on its role in endosomal escape.

Keywords:
Cationic polymersEndosomal escapeNanomedicineNon-viral gene therapyProton sponge hypothesis

More Related Videos

Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
06:58

Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites

Published on: September 29, 2020

4.9K
Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
05:10

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Published on: December 11, 2016

10.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 9, 2026

The Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Model Implantation
06:23

The Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Model Implantation

Published on: April 18, 2012

20.3K
Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
06:58

Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites

Published on: September 29, 2020

4.9K
Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
05:10

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Published on: December 11, 2016

10.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Gene Therapy

Background:

  • Cationic polymers and lipids form nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy.
  • Nanoparticles face biological barriers, notably the endosomal barrier, hindering intracellular delivery.
  • The proton sponge hypothesis (PSH) was proposed to explain endosomal escape mediated by cationic polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze conflicting reports on the validity of the proton sponge hypothesis.
  • To explore other potential mechanisms contributing to endosomal escape, such as membrane destabilization and polymer swelling.
  • To establish a consensus on the role of the PSH in the endosomal escape of polyplexes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published studies on the proton sponge hypothesis.
  • Analysis of conflicting experimental reports regarding PSH and endosomal escape.
  • Discussion of complementary mechanisms like membrane destabilization and polymer swelling.

Main Results:

  • Contradictory findings exist regarding the proton sponge hypothesis's role in endosomal escape.
  • Evidence suggests membrane destabilization and polymer swelling may also influence polyplex endosomal escape.
  • No definitive consensus has been reached on the PSH's universal validity.

Conclusions:

  • The proton sponge hypothesis remains a debated mechanism for endosomal escape in gene therapy.
  • A comprehensive understanding requires considering multiple factors beyond proton buffering.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the precise contribution of the PSH and other mechanisms to successful gene delivery.