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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Synthesis And Characterization Of Chitosan Derivatives Intended For Gene Delivery Applications, Alex M. Mcmullen
Synthesis And Characterization Of Chitosan Derivatives Intended For Gene Delivery Applications, Alex M. Mcmullen
MSU Graduate Theses
Chitosan has been studied as a non-viral vector capable of efficient gene delivery due to its favorable properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and is non-toxic to mammalian cells. Incorporating electrostatic interactions in non-viral vectors enhance the vector permeability. This work focuses on two parts. Firstly, cationic chitosan derivatives were synthesized using quarternary ammonium and phosphonium groups. This was achieved by coupling carboxylic acid ligands with these quarternary groups to chitosan through an amide bond. The carboxylic acid ligands were synthesized from 4-methylbenzoic acid and either triethyl phosphine or triethyl amine. The ligand was then attached to chitosan through an amide …
Investigating Chitosan Modified With Triethylammonium Butanamide And Triethylphosphonium Butanamide As Non-Viral Gene Delivery Vectors By Examining Cytotoxicity And Transfection Efficiency, Deborah C. Ehie
MSU Graduate Theses
Gene therapy is a very challenging field, especially with new emerging genetic disorders. Chitosan (CS), due to chitosan’s flexibility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, has been of interest in the world of gene therapy especially as researchers are gravitating towards non-viral vectors due to the problems caused by viral vectors. Nevertheless, there are still issues regarding solubility, cellular uptake of cargos being transported in vitro or in vivo, increased cytotoxicity levels, as well as many other things that prevent chitosan from being an efficient gene delivery agent. Here I present five derivatives of chitosan, which were all modified with either triethylphosphonium …
Functionalization Of Indium-Based Quantum Dots For Use As A Non-Viral Gene Therapy Vector, Nicholas A. Mundt
Functionalization Of Indium-Based Quantum Dots For Use As A Non-Viral Gene Therapy Vector, Nicholas A. Mundt
MSU Graduate Theses
This work aims to develop functionalized, water-soluble indium-based quantum dots (QDs) as a non-viral gene therapy vector. The QDs were solubilized in water by exchanging native hydrophobic surface ligands with 11-mercaptoundecanioc acid (MUA); an amphiphilic ligand providing terminal carboxylate groups that impart water solubility to the QDs. The aqueous QDs were then functionalized with a terminal tertiary amine to impart a positive surface charge, allowing negatively-charged DNA to complex with the nanoparticles. The QDs were characterized via electrophoresis to determine their ability to bind DNA. Results show that further work is needed to optimize DNA binding. In addition, this work …
Synthesis And Functionalization Of Fluorescent Quantum Dot Bioconjugates For Cellular Imaging Of Directed Gene Therapy, Jason Matthew Davis
Synthesis And Functionalization Of Fluorescent Quantum Dot Bioconjugates For Cellular Imaging Of Directed Gene Therapy, Jason Matthew Davis
MSU Graduate Theses
Herein, I optimize a method for synthesis and bioconjugation of water-soluble, fluorescent CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) for targeted cellular delivery of DNA. Core CdSe QDs were synthesized in high temperature organic solvents and passivated with a ZnS shell to increase quantum yield. The fluorescent QD nanoparticles were made water-soluble by enveloping them with an amphiphilic polymer. These aqueous nanoparticles were functionalized with tertiary amines to impart a positive charge, allowing electrostatic binding to negatively-charged DNA. The conjugated QDs were characterized using zeta potential and electrophoresis to gauge their ability to electrostatically bind DNA. The QDs were further modified by conjugation …