EX VIVO MODEL TO STUDY NANOPARTICLE UPTAKE FOR ORAL GENE DELIVERY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. Primary support for the subproject and the subproject's principal investigator may have been provided by other sources, including other NIH sources. The Total Cost listed for the subproject likely represents the estimated amount of Center infrastructure utilized by the subproject, not direct funding provided by the NCRR grant to the subproject or subproject staff. The project aims to determine the biodistribution of polymeric nanocomplexes labeled with quantum dots, following oral administration in a closed intestinal loop model. As a pilot study, quantum dots that emit in the far-red region will be used to label DNA, which is then used to form nanocomplexes with chitosan. The nanoparticles are then administered to isolated sections of rat gastrointestinal tract (GIT) for pre-determined durations. Following the excision of the relevant sections of the GIT, we propose to determine the uptake of the nanocomplexes by means of the Kodak In-Vivo Imaging System. The system would provide a semi-quantitative identification of the specific sections of the GIT that show enhanced uptake of our nanocomplexes. Such a study would enable us to better design polymeric gene carriers and macroformulations that would further protect the DNA and nanocomplexesin order to facilitate more efficient oral gene delivery.