Abstract
This article focuses on the ability of dendritic molecules to interact with nucleic acids and hence deliver them into cells. Dendritic molecules have branched structures which are made by an iterative, layer-by-layer synthesis. The control applied in their synthesis means that dendrimers are well-defined nanoscale molecular species - ideal for interacting with nanoscale bio-targets such as DNA/RNA. Binding and delivery of genetic material into cells in vivo holds out the prospect of gene therapy, and we will consider the potential advantages of dendritic vectors in this field of nanomedicine. As this article illustrates, the synthetic versatility of dendritic molecules has enabled the synthesis of a wide array of DNA binders and delivery vehicles, with different advantages. This versatility forms the basis for optimism that the dendritic approach may well yield active, highly targeted delivery vectors, suitable for in vivo application in gene therapy
Keywords: Dendrimers and dendrons, DNA, gene therapy, siRNA, vectors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Dendrimers and the Double Helix - From DNA Binding Towards Gene Therapy
Volume: 8 Issue: 14
Author(s): David K. Smith
Affiliation:
Keywords: Dendrimers and dendrons, DNA, gene therapy, siRNA, vectors
Abstract: This article focuses on the ability of dendritic molecules to interact with nucleic acids and hence deliver them into cells. Dendritic molecules have branched structures which are made by an iterative, layer-by-layer synthesis. The control applied in their synthesis means that dendrimers are well-defined nanoscale molecular species - ideal for interacting with nanoscale bio-targets such as DNA/RNA. Binding and delivery of genetic material into cells in vivo holds out the prospect of gene therapy, and we will consider the potential advantages of dendritic vectors in this field of nanomedicine. As this article illustrates, the synthetic versatility of dendritic molecules has enabled the synthesis of a wide array of DNA binders and delivery vehicles, with different advantages. This versatility forms the basis for optimism that the dendritic approach may well yield active, highly targeted delivery vectors, suitable for in vivo application in gene therapy
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Smith K. David, Dendrimers and the Double Helix - From DNA Binding Towards Gene Therapy, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802608785849030
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802608785849030 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection ...read more
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
HCV Infection by Cell-to-Cell Transmission: Choice or Necessity?
Current Molecular Medicine Post-Translational Modifications of Natural Antimicrobial Peptides and Strategies for Peptide Engineering
Current Biotechnology Synthesis, In Vitro Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory and DNA Binding Activity of Thiazolidinedione Derivatives
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Hematological Targets of Radiation Damage
Current Drug Targets Structural Heterogeneity and Multifunctionality of Lactoferrin
Current Protein & Peptide Science Mining for Protein Kinase Substrates: Integration of Biochemistry, Genetics and Proteomics
Current Proteomics Progress in the Preclinical Discovery and Clinical Development of Class I and Dual Class I/IV Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Novel Inhibitors of Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase in Patent Literature of the Last Decade
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Viruses in Semen and Male Genital Tissues - Consequences for the Reproductive System and Therapeutic Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Treatment Concepts In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas (DLBL): Chemotherapy and Biological Therapy
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Evasion of Ribonuclease Inhibitor as a Determinant of Ribonuclease Cytotoxicity
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Antitumor Drug-Loaded Aptamer Targeted Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes System
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Molecular Biology of the Enzymes that Degrade Endocannabinoids
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders The Use of Conformational Restriction in Medicinal Chemistry
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Combination of Photodynamic Therapy with Anti-Cancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Chalcone Analogs Derived from 2-Phenylimino-3-phenylthiazolidin-4-one
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Antitumoral-Lipid-Based Nanoparticles: a Platform for Future Application in Osteosarcoma therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 in Pathogenesis of Diseases and Remedy for the Diseases from Natural Products
Current Drug Targets In Situ Modulation of Oxidative Stress: A Novel and Efficient Strategy to Kill Cancer Cells
Current Medicinal Chemistry Costimulation, Coinhibition and Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets