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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Guangzhao Mao
Abstract
Bioreducible Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polymer/DNA films seem promising as localized gene delivery vectors. LbL films can be engineered to disassemble in specific physiological environments to release their DNA for transfection into the host cells. Three polymers containing disulfide bonds, which can be reduced by thiol groups, were used to construct LbL films. Ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize film behavior and degradation patterns. Hyperbranched polycations were shown to be able to condense DNA, which is known to improve the efficiency of gene delivery. The films completely degraded to release their contents in response to dithiothreitol and salt. Elastic moduli were measured using AFM force microscopy. Based on the characterized behavior of bioreducible LbL films, the potential of these bioreducible polycation-based LbL films as safe and effective gene delivery agents seems propitious.
Recommended Citation
Sutton, Kyle Alexander, "Engineering of redox-responsive layer-by-layer films for gene delivery" (2011). Wayne State University Theses. 151.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/151