title: Dendronised block copolymers as potential vectors for gene transfection.
abstract: A series of block copolymers containing a dendronised cationic block for efficient DNA binding and a poly(ethylene glycol) block for encapsulation of the complex were synthesised in a modular fashion using a combination of click chemistry and ring-opening metathesis polymerisation. DNA binding experiments, investigated using gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, showed that all polymers prepared in this study strongly complex DNA and self-assemble into polyion complex micelles with apparent hydrodynamic radii ranging from 20-120 nm at physiological pH (7.4). The in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity of these potential non-viral vectors were also evaluated in HeLadouble dagger cells using plasmid DNA encoding for green fluorescent protein as the reporter gene.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH-Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tony J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wigglesworth
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Axthelm
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eisler
authors.forename: Noemi S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Csaba
authors.forename: Hans P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Merkle
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diederich
mesh_terms: D050091:Dendrimers; D008027:Light; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D011108:Polymers