About this Research Topic
In a DNA compaction or condensation process, the transition of a molecule from an elongated (or coil) conformation to a very compact (or globular) form occurs. The long DNA molecules adopt an elongated coil state in a pure aqueous solution because of the electrostatic repulsions between negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA monomers. A promising option for treating various diseases is gene delivery in gene therapy. It is difficult for DNA molecules to cross the negatively charged cell membrane due to its bulky size and highly negative charges. Thus, gene vectors have to be used to enable DNA molecules to pass through the cell membrane. Different cationic co-solutes as non-viral vectors have been used. Cationic surfactants have attracted particular interest among the many condensing agents. However, cytotoxicity of surfactants is a major drawback. Surfactants of various chemical nature are being explored. Surfactants’ compaction efficiency can be enhanced by using additives.
There are number of reports on using different cationic co-solutes as non-viral vectors for the purpose of compaction of DNA. A cationic surfactant can be used as a condensing agent. However, a major drawback of using surfactants for biological systems relies on their cytotoxicity. A solution to this problem is to find a way so that compaction of DNA can happen at a low concentration of surfactant. Main interactions involved between DNA and surfactants are electrostatic and hydrophobic. As hydrophobic interaction plays a role, therefore, a surfactant with low cmc can induce the compaction at a relatively lower concentration. Another solution is to use biocompatible surfactants. Also, an additive like negatively charged nanoparticles are being used to enhance the compaction ability of the surfactant. Gene delivery in gene therapy provides a promising option for the treatment of variety of diseases such as genetic diseases, neurodegenerative disease, malignant tumour etc. To enable DNA to pass through the cell membrane, gene vectors have to be used. Although viral vectors are the most efficient for this purpose, but they suffer from serious immunogenicity problems. To have the DNA in a compacted form from the unfolded form, the use of cationic co-solutes as non-viral vectors is the best approach. The most commonly studied transfection vehicles are cationic liposomes, polycations and cationic surfactants. Among these, surfactants attracted special interests and these will be the main focus of this Research Topic.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Potential surfactants as non-viral vectors
• Biocompatible surfactants as non-viral vectors
• Mechanism of action of surfactants in DNA compaction
• Use of additives to enhance the compaction efficiency of surfactants
• Synthesis of new surfactants and their biological testing
There are number of reports on using different cationic co-solutes as non-viral vectors for the purpose of compaction of DNA. A cationic surfactant can be used as a condensing agent. However, a major drawback of using surfactants for biological systems relies on their cytotoxicity. A solution to this problem is to find a way so that compaction of DNA can happen at a low concentration of surfactant. Main interactions involved between DNA and surfactants are electrostatic and hydrophobic. As hydrophobic interaction plays a role, therefore, a surfactant with low cmc can induce the compaction at a relatively lower concentration. Another solution is to use biocompatible surfactants. Also, an additive like negatively charged nanoparticles are being used to enhance the compaction ability of the surfactant. Gene delivery in gene therapy provides a promising option for the treatment of variety of diseases such as genetic diseases, neurodegenerative disease, malignant tumour etc. To enable DNA to pass through the cell membrane, gene vectors have to be used. Although viral vectors are the most efficient for this purpose, but they suffer from serious immunogenicity problems. To have the DNA in a compacted form from the unfolded form, the use of cationic co-solutes as non-viral vectors is the best approach. The most commonly studied transfection vehicles are cationic liposomes, polycations and cationic surfactants. Among these, surfactants attracted special interests and these will be the main focus of this Research Topic.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Potential surfactants as non-viral vectors
• Biocompatible surfactants as non-viral vectors
• Mechanism of action of surfactants in DNA compaction
• Use of additives to enhance the compaction efficiency of surfactants
• Synthesis of new surfactants and their biological testing
Keywords: Surfactants as non-viral vectors, Additives, Mechanism, Synthesis, Biological testing
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