Gene Therapy using polymers was studied to circumvent production and efficiency difficulties with viral and plasmid vectors. Polycationic polymers provide increased cell selectivity. One difficulty observed are formations of large aggregates. Aggregation properties of Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and Polynorbornene with Chlorine counter ion (Polynorbornene-C1) polymers were studied. UV spectrophotometry showed aggregates forming with ten minutes of contact for PEI, and within thirty minutes for Polynorbornene-C1. Positive zeta potential readings indicated both polymers neutralized DNA's negative charge. Scanning electron microscopy showed aggregates formed 0.1 um spheres.

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Creator

• Jakubek, Lorin Mari

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 03D121M

Advisor

• Camesano, Terri Anne

Year

• 2003

Date created

• 2003-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright