Surface adsorption of DNA to tissue engineering scaffolds for efficient gene delivery.

Gene delivery from tissue engineering scaffolds has potential to promote localized transgene expression that can induce the formation of functional tissues. Substrate-mediated delivery, an alternative delivery strategy to sustained release, is based on immobilization of DNA complexes to the polymer surface for subsequent delivery to cells cultured on the substrate. We investigate polyethylenimine (PEI)/DNA complex immobilization and subsequent cellular transfection on tissue engineering scaffolds fabricated from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG).

Gene delivery from polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering.

The combination of gene therapy with tissue engineering offers the potential to direct progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into functional tissue replacements. Many approaches to engineering tissue replacements feature a polymer scaffold to create and maintain a space, support cell adhesion, and organize tissue formation. Polymer scaffolds, either natural, synthetic, or a combination of the two, have also been adapted to serve as delivery vehicles for viral and nonviral vectors, which can induce the expression of tissue inductive factors.

Modular design of non-viral vectors with bioactive components.

Inefficient gene delivery continues to limit gene therapy applications to both basic and applied sciences. Approaches for engineering vectors increasingly include bioactive components that bind cellular receptors, disrupt membranes, or enhance nuclear transport. Recently, a novel cationic lipid was developed by modifying the glucocorticoid dexamethasone.

Measurement of rheology of distiller's grain slurries using a helical impeller viscometer.

Current research is focused on developing a process to convert the cellulose and hemicellulose in distiller's grains into fermentable sugars, increasing both ethanol yield and the amount of protein in the remaining solid product. The rheologic properties of distiller's grain slurries were determined for concentrations of 21, 23, and 25%. Distiller's grain slurries are non-Newtonian, heterogeneous fluids subject to particle settling.