Archive | 2021
Nanostructures in gene delivery
Abstract
Abstract With the recent advancement of nanotechnology in biomedical research, gene therapies are of great concern among biomedical scientists. Nanostructures used in the gene-targeted delivery systems have been outlined here starting from conventional natural polymers to the latest dendrimers technology. Neoplastic disorders, immunological vaccines, HIV-AIDS, and in other life-threatening diseases nanostructures loaded with genes and proteins, DNA and RNA have shown scintillating works to achieve sustained action into the specific site of action with improved bioavailability, less or no tissue toxicity, and high degree of therapeutic effectiveness. Structural modifications of nanostructures that have been carried out at different stages of the manufacturing are made to get better gene deliveries. This chapter describes the self-assembly process, current developments, and prospects of nanostructures in gene delivery applications. This chapter is beneficial in gaining insight knowledge related to nanostructures-based targeted gene therapies. Nanostructures play a pivotal role in nano-biomaterial development, a branch under the head “Nano Material Science” which has vast and numerous applications in therapeutic delivery systems targeting some life-threatening diseases. With the advancement of nanomaterials technology, multifunctional nanostructures are one of the prime focuses in biomaterials design and developments. Nanostructures with a wide range of polymers, gold and silver nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanostructures are thoroughly discussed to get a glimpse of modern and novel targeted system, especially gene and other biomolecules delivery at the specific site of action.