Polyelectrolyte complexes : formation, characterisation and theoretical models

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This research program aims to provide new nanosized biomaterials that can be tested for the delivery of DNA and RNA as novel therapeutic agents. These nanosized objects will be created by understanding and exploiting the ability of oppositely charged polymers to interact and associate. The therapeutic agent is a negatively charged polymer that is either DNA or RNA and the means of packaging and delivering these agents is by forming nanosized complexes with positively charged polymers that are biodegradable and non-toxic. We have a longstanding expertise in the production and characterisation of a positively charged natural polymer, called chitosan, that is composed of glucosamine units. We have formed complexes of chitosan with DNA and shown these nanoparticles to be efficient in delivering and expressing the plasmid gene in cell culture. Here we aim to further develop this technology to delivery DNA and RNA molecules that are expected to be the next wave of biotechnology therapeutics. Basic studies to reveal the means by which these particles are formed and to control and characterise their properties are described. The results of this research are expected to provide novel methods to formulate DNA and RNA therapeutics that can then be tested for biomedical applications.