Artificial Self-assembling Systems for Gene Delivery


Book Description

Discusses recent advances in artificial self-assembling systems, including retrotransposon vectors, hairpin ribozymes, triple-helix-forming oligonucleotides, liposome-mediated transfection, and photonic nanostructures. Addresses developing efficient synthetic vectors such as modular self-assembling systems mimicking important features of viral vectors. Presents new developments in synthetic self-assembling gene delivery systems, including innovations in nonviral systems, targeting nucleic acids, ligand-polylysine mediated transfer, dendrimer-mediated transfection, cationic liposomes, and polylysine DNA complexes.




Materials Nanoarchitectonics


Book Description

Materials Nanoarchitectonics: From Integrated Molecular Systems to Advanced Devices provides the latest information on the design and molecular manipulation of self-organized hierarchically structured systems using tailor-made nanoscale materials as structural and functional units. The book is organized into three main sections that focus on molecular design of building blocks and hybrid materials, formation of nanostructures, and applications and devices. Bringing together emerging materials, synthetic aspects, nanostructure strategies, and applications, the book aims to support further progress, by offering different perspectives and a strong interdisciplinary approach to this rapidly growing area of innovation. This is an extremely valuable resource for researchers, advanced students, and scientists in industry, with an interest in nanoarchitectonics, nanostructures, and nanomaterials, or across the areas of nanotechnology, chemistry, surface science, polymer science, electrical engineering, physics, chemical engineering, and materials science. - Offers a nanoarchitectonic perspective on emerging fields, such as metal-organic frameworks, porous polymer materials, or biomimetic nanostructures - Discusses different approaches to utilizing "soft chemistry" as a source for hierarchically organized materials - Offers an interdisciplinary approach to the design and construction of integrated chemical nano systems - Discusses novel approaches towards the creation of complex multiscale architectures




RNA Nanotechnology


Book Description

In the past few decades there has been incredible growth in "bionano"-related research, which has been accompanied by numerous publications in this field. Although various compilations address topics related to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and protein, there are few books that focus on determining the structure of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and using RNA as building blocks to construct nanoarchitectures for biomedical and healthcare applications. RNA Nanotechnology is a comprehensive volume that details both the traditional approaches and the latest developments in the field of RNA-related technology. This book targets a wide audience: a broad introduction provides a solid academic background for students, researchers, and scientists who are unfamiliar with the subject, while the in-depth descriptions and discussions are useful for advanced professionals. The book opens with reviews on the basic aspects of RNA biology, computational approaches for predicting RNA structures, and traditional and emerging experimental approaches for probing RNA structures. This section is followed by explorations of the latest research and discoveries in RNA nanotechnology, including the design and construction of RNA-based nanostructures. The final segment of the book includes descriptions and discussions of the potential biological and therapeutic applications of small RNA molecules, such as small/short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), RNA aptamers, and ribozymes.




Protein Self-Assembly


Book Description

This volume explores experimental and computational approaches to measuring the most widely studied protein assemblies, including condensed liquid phases, aggregates, and crystals. The chapters in this book are organized into three parts: Part One looks at the techniques used to measure protein-protein interactions and equilibrium protein phases in dilute and concentrated protein solutions; Part Two describes methods to measure kinetics of aggregation and to characterize the assembled state; and Part Three details several different computational approaches that are currently used to help researchers understand protein self-assembly. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Protein Self-Assembly: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers who are interested in learning more about this developing field.




Liposomes in Gene Delivery


Book Description

Many specialists are not familiar with both drug delivery and the molecular biology of DNA vectors. Liposomes in Gene Delivery covers both-molecular biologists will gain a basic knowledge of lipids, liposomes, and other gene delivery vehicles; lipid and drug delivery scientists will better understand DNA, molecular biology, and DNA manipulation. Topics include an introduction to nucleic acids, a theoretical description of DNA, recombinant technology, lipids and liposomes, stability and interaction properties of lipids and liposomes, complexation of lipids and liposomes with DNA plasmids, gene expression of genosomes in various models, structure-activity relationships, and transfection models. This is an excellent introductory text for graduate students, scientists, and researchers in molecular and cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, colloid science, pharmacology, molecular science, and medicine.




Viral Nanoparticles


Book Description

This book overviews the applications of viral nanoparticles (VNPs) in areas ranging from materials science to biomedicine. It summarizes the many different VNP building blocks and describes chemistries that allow one to attach, entrap, or display functionalities on VNPs. The book outlines the strategies for the construction of 1-, 2-, and 3-D arrays, highlights the achievements in utilizing VNPs as tools for novel biosensors and nanoelectronic devices, and describes efforts in designing VNPs for biomedical applications, including their use as gene delivery vectors, novel vaccines, imaging modalities, and applications in targeted therapeutics.




The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology


Book Description

Many potential applications of synthetic and systems biology are relevant to the challenges associated with the detection, surveillance, and responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. On March 14 and 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats convened a public workshop in Washington, DC, to explore the current state of the science of synthetic biology, including its dependency on systems biology; discussed the different approaches that scientists are taking to engineer, or reengineer, biological systems; and discussed how the tools and approaches of synthetic and systems biology were being applied to mitigate the risks associated with emerging infectious diseases. The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology is organized into sections as a topic-by-topic distillation of the presentations and discussions that took place at the workshop. Its purpose is to present information from relevant experience, to delineate a range of pivotal issues and their respective challenges, and to offer differing perspectives on the topic as discussed and described by the workshop participants. This report also includes a collection of individually authored papers and commentary.




Self-assembly


Book Description

The book contains six sections. The first section covers general articles; then there is a section concentrating on novel systems and applications. This is followed by one that deals with a range of applications of polymers, surfactants and liquid crystals. This is followed by a section on advances in fundamental understanding. Then there is one on biological systems, and finally there is a section on micelle and vesicle systems, with particular emphasis on dynamic aspects. The contributors, including Physicists, Chemists, Biologists and Chemical Engineers, variously chose to write review-type articles, summaries of their own recent work in the field and its relevance in the general concept of self-assembly, specific short papers related to their particular presentation, or their own thoughts concerning the future development of their particular interest area. All these aspects are addressed in the book. The book covers research at the forefront of the subject, and it is expected to be a very useful addition to the literature in this important field.




Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology


Book Description

Scientific advances over the past several decades have accelerated the ability to engineer existing organisms and to potentially create novel ones not found in nature. Synthetic biology, which collectively refers to concepts, approaches, and tools that enable the modification or creation of biological organisms, is being pursued overwhelmingly for beneficial purposes ranging from reducing the burden of disease to improving agricultural yields to remediating pollution. Although the contributions synthetic biology can make in these and other areas hold great promise, it is also possible to imagine malicious uses that could threaten U.S. citizens and military personnel. Making informed decisions about how to address such concerns requires a realistic assessment of the capabilities that could be misused. Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology explores and envisions potential misuses of synthetic biology. This report develops a framework to guide an assessment of the security concerns related to advances in synthetic biology, assesses the levels of concern warranted for such advances, and identifies options that could help mitigate those concerns.




Progress in Drug Research


Book Description