Materials for gene delivery

Materials for gene delivery must be able to (i) encapsulate or self-assemble with DNA or siRNA - highly charged and hydrophilic molecules - to form nanoparticles (50-200nm), (ii) protect the nucleic acids from degradation and (iii) aide in trafficking. Thus, the nanoparticles must be able to move efficiently through the different compartments of the cell - which are chemically and biologically different - and be able to efficiently deliver the DNA and siRNA to their site of action, nucleus or cytosol respectively. Research in our laboratory focuses on developing polymers that can immobilize the nanoparticles to biomaterials (for tethered delivery) and exploit the different environments encountered in the cell to achieve efficient gene delivery