Synthetic cationic glycopolymers for gene delivery

The development of biocompatible non-toxic vectors for gene delivery purposes is the focus of research, during the last two decades. The modification of cationic polymers with sugar residues is an interesting method to introduce physiological stability to cationic polymers. The development of efficient carbohydrate-based gene delivery vector requires detailed study of glycosylation extent, hydroxyl stereochemistry, type of sugar moiety, DNA condensation efficacies, DNA release, and protection efficacies of these cationic glycopolymers. A variety of well-controlled cationic glycopolymers of varying molecular weights, cationic to carbohydrate contents, shapes, and architectures are prepared by living radical polymerization, condensation polymerization, and post-polymerization conjugation approaches. The gene delivery efficacies of these vectors in vitro and in mice models are evaluated.