title: Plasmid DNA hydrogels for biomedical applications.
abstract: In the last few years, our research group has focused on the design and development of plasmid DNA (pDNA) based systems as devices to be used therapeutically in the biomedical field. Biocompatible macro and micro plasmid DNA gels were prepared by a cross-linking reaction. For the first time, the pDNA gels have been investigated with respect to their swelling in aqueous solution containing different additives. Furthermore, we clarified the fundamental and basic aspects of the solute release mechanism from pDNA hydrogels and the significance of this information is enormous as a basic tool for the formulation of pDNA carriers for drug/gene delivery applications. The co-delivery of a specific gene and anticancer drugs, combining chemical and gene therapies in the treatment of cancer was the main challenge of our research. Significant progresses have been made with a new p53 encoding pDNA microgel that is suitable for the loading and release of pDNA and doxorubicin. This represents a strong valuable finding in the strategic development of systems to improve cancer cure through the synergetic effect of chemical and gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: CICS - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: dcosta@fcsaude.ubi.pt.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: M Graça
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Miguel
authors.affiliation: CICS - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Queiroz
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D004317:Doxorubicin; D004247:DNA
keywords: Biocompatibility; Co-delivery; Drug delivery; In-vitro transfection; Plasmid DNA microgels; pDNA delivery