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Assessing Nucleic Acid: Cationic Nanoparticle Interaction for Gene Delivery.
1Nano-Gene and Drug Delivery Group, Discipline of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. singhm1@ukzn.ac.za.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 18, 2020
Summary
Assessing nucleic acid-nanoparticle binding is key for gene delivery. This study details methods to evaluate nonviral nanocarrier complexes, crucial for understanding their structure and function.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Gene Delivery
Background:
- Nonviral nanocarriers offer alternatives to viral vectors for gene delivery.
- Understanding the structure and properties of nucleic acid-nanoparticle complexes is essential for efficient gene delivery.
- Cationic lipids, polymers, and metal nanoparticles are investigated as nonviral nanocarriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for assessing nucleic acid interactions with cationic nanocarriers.
- To describe techniques for evaluating the physico-chemical properties of nucleic acid-nanoparticle complexes.
- To highlight the importance of these characterizations for successful gene delivery.
Main Methods:
- Nucleic acid binding assays
- Nuclease protection assays
- Dye displacement assays
- Electron microscopy
- Fluorescent detection
- Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)
Main Results:
- Described methods allow for visualization and quantification of nucleic acid-nanocarrier interactions.
- Evaluated properties include ultrastructural morphology, size, and zeta potential.
- These characterizations confirm nanocomplex formation and inform cellular uptake and trafficking.
Conclusions:
- Standardized assessment methods are vital for developing effective nonviral gene delivery systems.
- Characterizing nanocomplexes ensures efficient and safe gene delivery.
- Complementary assays provide robust data for nanocarrier evaluation.
