Utilising inorganic nanocarriers for gene delivery.
The delivery of genetic materials into cells to elicit cellular responses has been extensively studied by biomaterials scientists globally. Many materials such as lipids, peptides, viruses, synthetically modified cationic polymers and certain inorganic nanomaterials could be used to complex the negatively charged plasmids and deliver the formed package into cells. The recent literature on the delivery of genetic materials utilising inorganic nanoparticles is carefully examined in this review. We have picked out the most relevant references and concisely summarised the findings with illustrated examples. We further propose alternative approaches and suggest future pathways towards the practical use of multifunctional nanocarriers.
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR, (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602, Singapore. lohxj@imre.a-star.edu.sg and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore.
Xian Jun
XJ
Loh
UCL Institute for Materials Discovery and Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Building, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK. tungchun.lee@ucl.ac.uk.
Tung-Chun
TC
Lee
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR, (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602, Singapore. lohxj@imre.a-star.edu.sg.
Qingqing
Q
Dou
Soft Materials Laboratory, Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1-Nanyang Walk, 637616 Singapore, Singapore.
G Roshan
GR
Deen
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002412:Cations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002412:Cations