Nanotechnology for Nucleic Acid Delivery

Nanotechnology and nucleic acid based therapies are two emerging fields in science whose combination has the potential to improve quality of life for patients suffering from various diseases that can so far only be treated in an unsatisfactory way. Nucleic acids offer the potential for highly selective treatment of such diseases or the highly specific modulation of gene expression with RNA interference. A key issue for successful nucleic acid therapies is the availability of a suitable delivery system. Here, the field of nanotechnology offers a multitude of possibilities to develop nanosized delivery vectors tailor-made for various local and systemic approaches. In Nanotechnology for Nucleic Acid Delivery: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field cover the area of nanoparticulate delivery of nucleic acids in terms of biosafety, particle synthesis as well as its application in cell culture. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Nanotechnology for Nucleic Acid Delivery: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies.