Dendrimers in gene delivery: structural analysis of dendrimer complexes with DNA and RNA by AFM, affinity capillary electrophoresis, FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods

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Among polymers, dendrimers are unique synthetic macromolecules of nanometer dimensions with highly branched structure and globular shape capable of transporting DNA, RNA and drug with high efficiency. This research proposal is designed to study the structural organization of dendrimer complexes with DNA and RNA, using laser induced fluorescence capillary electrophoresis, FTIR, CD spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In recent reports from our laboratory, we have analysed the structural organizations of cationic lipid complexes with DNA and RNA and examined their potential applications in gene delivery (1, 2). In a constant search for designing tools to deliver gene in vivo, a variety of synthetic polymers have been tested and used. The most common polyamidoamide dendrimers (PAMAM)) are positively charged at physiological pH and strongly react with DNA and RNA.