Gold nanorods (GNRs) have been explored as promising nanomaterials for various biomedical applications including biosensing, imaging, photothermal treatment and drug delivery for various diseases. In this study, we synthesized a library of  poly(aminoethers)(PAEs) using ring-opening polymerization reaction between diverse amines and diglycidyl ethers. PAEs were characterized using 1H NMR, FTIR and GPC analyses. A library of PAE-GNR assemblies was generated by layer-by-layer deposition of poly(aminoethers) onto GNRs. The PAE-GNR assembles exhibited high colloidal stability and DNA binding capacities due to electrostatic interactions. The role of several physicochemical properties including, pH-buffering capability, DNA binding efficacy, polyplex size and zeta potential, of both, PAEs and PAE-GNR assemblies on transgene expression efficacies was investigated. Parallel screening of the PAEs and PAE-GNR assemblies led to identification of several leads that demonstrated higher transgene expression efficacies and lower cytotoxicities compared to branched pEI (25 kDa) in different prostate and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Ongoing work involves investigation into targeting strategies for selective delivery to specific cell types.  These preliminary results indicate that these assembles have high potential as theranostics for combined transgene delivery and imaging.

Polymeric gold nanorod assemblies for efficient transgene delivery

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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