Structure Formation and Properties of Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Complexation of DNA with polycations attracts interest as it offers a way to compact DNA into small sizes necessary for efficient gene delivery within gene therapy. Compared to other polycations, chitosan has the main advantage of being biodegradable. Whe n DNA is complexed with polycations, structures such as toroids and rods are formed. These shapes, although intriguing, are a consequence of the electrostatic nature of DNA. This project aims at increasing the general understanding of the formation of wel l-defined polyelectrolyte complex structures. This knowledge can be important in optimising the parameters for DNA compaction. DNA compacted with chitosan will be investigated in particular, with the emphasis on deducing parameters important understanding the gene delivery aspect of the compacted particles. Experimental parameters for the compaction of DNA will be optimised by studying the interaction strength between DNA and chitosan, the morphology of the structures formed and the cellular localisation of the complexes.