title: How to study dendriplexes I: Characterization.
abstract: This paper reviews the different techniques for analyzing the formation, physical-chemical characterization and stability of dendriplexes-complexes of nucleic acids with dendrimers. It does not touch on the questions of transfection efficiency or the cytotoxicity of dendriplexes. On the basis of the papers reviewed, a standard essential set of techniques for characterizing dendriplexes was constructed: (1) analysis of size and shape of dendriplexes in dried/frozen state by electron or atomic force microscopy; (2) analysis of charge/molar ratio of complexes by gel electrophoresis or ethidium bromide intercalation assay or zeta potential; (3) analysis of hydrodynamic diameter of dendriplexes in solution by dynamic light scattering; and analysis of (4) transfection efficiency and (5) cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics and Cellular Engineering of NASB, Minsk, Belarus. d.shcharbin@mail.ru
authors.forename: Dzmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shcharbin
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedziwiatr
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bryszewska