title: Nanotechnology approaches for gene transfer.
abstract: In both basic research as well as experimental gene therapy the need to transfer genetic material into a cell is of vital importance. The cellular compartment, which is the target for the genetic material, depends upon application. An siRNA that mediates silencing is preferably delivered to the cytosol while a transgene would need to end up in the nucleus for successful transcription to occur. Furthermore the ability to regulate gene expression has grown substantially since the discovery of RNA interference. In such diverse fields as medical research and agricultural pest control, the capability to alter the genetic output has been a useful tool for pushing the scientific frontiers. This review is focused on nanotechnological approaches to assemble optimised structures of nucleic acid derivatives to facilitate gene delivery as well as promoting down regulation of endogenous genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden. karin.lundin@ki.se
authors.forename: Karin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Lundin
authors.forename: Oscar E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Simonson
authors.forename: Pedro M D
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Eman M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zaghloul
authors.forename: Iulian I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Oprea
authors.forename: Mathias G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Svahn
authors.forename: C I Edvard
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides