Reversible, Covalent DNA Condensation Approach Using Chemical Linkers for Enhanced Gene Delivery.

Nonviral gene delivery has emerged as a promising technology for gene therapy. Nonetheless, these approaches often face challenges, primarily associated with lower efficiency, which can be attributed to the inefficient transportation of DNA into the nucleus. Here, we report a two-stage condensation approach to achieve efficient nuclear transport of DNA.

Ultrasound triggered organic mechanoluminescence materials.

Ultrasound induced organic mechanoluminescence materials have become one of the focal topics in wireless light sources since they exhibit high spatiotemporal resolution, biocompatibility and excellent tissue penetration depth. These properties promote great potential in ultrahigh sensitive bioimaging with no background noise and noninvasive nanodevices. Recent advances in chemistry, nanotechnology and biomedical research are revolutionizing ultrasound induced organic mechanoluminescence.

Overcoming barriers in non-viral gene delivery for neurological applications.

Gene therapy for neurological disorders has attracted significant interest as a way to reverse or stop various disease pathologies. Typical gene therapies involving the central and peripheral nervous system make use of adeno-associated viral vectors whose questionable safety and limitations in manufacturing has given rise to extensive research into non-viral vectors. While early research studies have demonstrated limited efficacy with these non-viral vectors, investigation into various vector materials and functionalization methods has provided insight into ways to optimize these non-viral vectors to improve desired characteristics such as improved blood-brain barrier transcytosis, improved perfusion in brain region, enhanced cellular uptake and endosomal escape in neural cells, and nuclear transport of genetic material post- intracellular delivery.

Development of medical-grade, discrete, multi-walled carbon nanotubes as drug delivery molecules to enhance the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold great potential as drug delivery transporters given their large drug-binding surface area. Herein, we designed novel, multi-walled, discrete CNTs (dMWCNTs), PEGylated dMWCNTs (PEG-dMWCNTs), and bone-targeting (BT), alendronate-conjugated PEG-dMWCNTs (BT-PEG-dMWCNTs). Using zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis, TEM, SEM, and FTIR, dMWCNTs were characterized as individual, uniform, and stable.