J. MADHUSUDHANAN, ROBIN ABRAHAM, V.A. VENI3 AND K. SATHISHKUMAR
Abstract
Gene therapy, a well-known therapy used for treating Genetic diseases. The main objective is to complex DNA with suitable cationic carrier. Various polymeric carriers, such as poly-l-glutamic acid, poly-l-lysine, polyethylenimine, polylactic acid are being used in gene therapy studies. Here we characterized polymer based DNA complexes in bacterial transformation which showed high transformation efficiency with lower concentration of pDNA being used. Among the examined polymers, Poly-l-lysine is found to be most effective in condensing DNA, maintaining stability, protection against DNase as well as effective release into the cell. In our study, the delivery of plasmid DNA into E.coli cells was carried out effectively using Poly-l-lysine. Transformation rates were four times higher when poly-l-lysine is used for transformation than to the competent cell based method. Transmission and Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed the size of the condensed particle was between 80-160nm. Also Fourier Transform - IR (FTIR) studies showed association of pDNA along with poly-complex which is known as Inter-polyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs). Further, IPECs as a gene carrier can be compiled with drug carriers for dual delivery of gene and drug against genetic disorderâs or multidrug resistant cancer cells, but also such methods can be applied in transformation techniques for better efficiency.