Non-toxic Platform for Biomolecule Delivery into Cells

Nucleic acids, peptides and proteins are biomolecules that offer powerful tools for research and drug development. Already they are widely used in labs and in some clinical applications. However, many applications and wider use in clinics is held-back by poor cellular uptake and toxic effects associated with existing delivery methods. Cell delivery of nucleic acids is a substantial problem because even the smallest functional biomolecules are much larger than most reagents and drugs that work inside cells. The process of assisted cell delivery of nucleic acids is called transfection and this project tests the feasibility of using a novel platform to provide efficient, nontoxic, and economically viable transfection. We will pursue three objectives that will optimise the new transfection method and then compare the optimised method with market leading products, with a view to advancing our technology as a reagent and drug component. (see www.tecrea.co.uk)