Silicalite nanoparticles that promote transgene expression.

Here, we report on a new zeolite-based silicalite nanoparticle that can enhance the transfection efficiencies generated by poly ethylene imine-plasmid DNA (PEI-pDNA) complexes via a sedimentation mechanism and can enhance the transfection efficiencies of pDNA alone when surface functionalized with amine groups. The silicalite nanoparticles have a mean size of 55 nm. Functionalizing the silicalite nanoparticles with amine groups results in a clear transition in zeta potential from -25.

Biotinylated biodegradable nanotemplated hydrogel networks for cell interactive applications.

We describe the synthesis of a novel biotinylated nanotextured degradable hydrogel that can be rapidly surface engineered with a diverse range of biotinylated moieties. The hydrogel is synthesized by reacting methacrylated biotin-PEG with dimethacrylated P LA-b- PEG-b-P LA (LPLDMA, PEG = poly(ethylene glycol), PLA = poly(lactic acid)),or dimethacrylated PEG-b-P LA-b- PEG (PLPDMA). Methacrylated biotin-PEG is prepared by reacting biotin-PEG-OH with methacrylic anhydride.

Multifunctional nanorods for biomedical applications.

Multifunctional nanorods have shown significant potential in a wide range of biomedical applications. Nanorods can be synthesized by a top down or bottom-up approach. The bottom-up approach commonly utilizes a template deposition methodology.