Abstract
This article focuses on the ability of dendritic molecules to interact with nucleic acids and hence deliver them into cells. Dendritic molecules have branched structures which are made by an iterative, layer-by-layer synthesis. The control applied in their synthesis means that dendrimers are well-defined nanoscale molecular species - ideal for interacting with nanoscale bio-targets such as DNA/RNA. Binding and delivery of genetic material into cells in vivo holds out the prospect of gene therapy, and we will consider the potential advantages of dendritic vectors in this field of nanomedicine. As this article illustrates, the synthetic versatility of dendritic molecules has enabled the synthesis of a wide array of DNA binders and delivery vehicles, with different advantages. This versatility forms the basis for optimism that the dendritic approach may well yield active, highly targeted delivery vectors, suitable for in vivo application in gene therapy
Keywords: Dendrimers and dendrons, DNA, gene therapy, siRNA, vectors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Dendrimers and the Double Helix - From DNA Binding Towards Gene Therapy
Volume: 8 Issue: 14
Author(s): David K. Smith
Affiliation:
Keywords: Dendrimers and dendrons, DNA, gene therapy, siRNA, vectors
Abstract: This article focuses on the ability of dendritic molecules to interact with nucleic acids and hence deliver them into cells. Dendritic molecules have branched structures which are made by an iterative, layer-by-layer synthesis. The control applied in their synthesis means that dendrimers are well-defined nanoscale molecular species - ideal for interacting with nanoscale bio-targets such as DNA/RNA. Binding and delivery of genetic material into cells in vivo holds out the prospect of gene therapy, and we will consider the potential advantages of dendritic vectors in this field of nanomedicine. As this article illustrates, the synthetic versatility of dendritic molecules has enabled the synthesis of a wide array of DNA binders and delivery vehicles, with different advantages. This versatility forms the basis for optimism that the dendritic approach may well yield active, highly targeted delivery vectors, suitable for in vivo application in gene therapy
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Cite this article as:
Smith K. David, Dendrimers and the Double Helix - From DNA Binding Towards Gene Therapy, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802608785849030
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802608785849030 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
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