pH-responsive release of proteins from biocompatible and biodegradable reverse polymer micelles.

A reverse polymer micelle with a diameter of 100nm was prepared for a protein carrier releasing payloads in a pH-dependent manner. The reverse polymer micelle was made from an amphiphilic diblock copolymer of biodegradable poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PLGA having a terminal carboxyl group was additionally embedded in the micelle's PLGA layer via hydrophobic interaction.

Layer-by-layer assembly of cationic lipid and plasmid DNA onto gold surface for stent-assisted gene transfer.

Intravascular stent-assisted gene transfer is an advanced approach for the therapy of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and stenosis. This approach requires a stent that allows local and efficient administration of therapeutic genes to the target cells at the vascular wall. To create such a stent, a method was developed for loading plasmid DNA onto the metal surface.