Understanding the Cytoplasmic Transport of Synthetic Gene Vectors

Keywords:
gene delivery, synthetic vectors, non viral, intracellular transport, vesicular transport, microtubules, trafficking

Abstract:
We use fluorescence video microscopy and single particle tracking to elucidate some of the fundamental mechanisms involved in intracellular trafficking of non-viral gene vectors. Transport of polymer-DNA complex, which are internalized via endocytosis, is almost entirely orchestrated by the natural endocytic mechanism of the cell. The perinuclear accumulation of these complexes is observed to follow biphasic dynamics. We reveal a mechanism based on single particle dynamics and endocytic routing which explains the observed trafficking patterns. Our studies, coupled with present knowledge of gene delivery, provide a significantly advanced and quantitative view of the gene delivery route.

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Nanotech 2005 Conference Program Abstract