6533b82dfe1ef96bd1291bb7

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Novel polyaminoacidic copolymers as nonviral gene vectors

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Human gene therapy is one of the most promising methods developed in recent years, providing great potential for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Complexes formed between DNA and cationic polymers are attracting increasing attention as novel synthetic vectors for the delivery of genes. We have synthesized polycations with quaternary ammonium groups in their side chains for self-assembly with calf thymus DNA. This paper describes the functionalization of α,β-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy), a synthetic macromolecule having many potential applications in the field of biomedical sciences, with glycidyltrimethylammonuim chloride (GTA) in order to introduce positive charges into their chains. Derivatized PAHy with various GTA contents have been obtained and characterized. Highly functionalized copolymers have been used for condensing DNA, yielding discrete complexes. The complex formation has been confirmed by gel electrophoresis and the surface charge of interpolyelectrolyte complexes has been assessed by the zeta potential.