With contributions by numerous experts

Polymer-based systems hold great promise for the delivery of genes and drugs, as polymers can be designed and modified to meet new challenges.

Polymers and Nanomaterials for Gene Therapy provides the latest information on gene therapy, a topic that has attracted significant attention over the past two decades for the treatment of inherited and acquired genetic diseases. Major research efforts are currently focused on designing suitable carrier vectors that compact and protect oligonucleotides for gene therapy. The book explores the most recent developments in the field of polymer science and nanotechnology, and how these advancements have helped in the design of advanced materials. Non-viral vector systems, including cationic lipids, polymers, dendrimers, peptides and nanoparticles, are potential routes for compacting DNA for systemic delivery. However, unlike viral analogues that have no difficulty in overcoming cellular barriers and immune defense mechanisms, non-viral gene carriers consistently exhibit significant reduced transfection efficiency due to numerous extra- and intracellular obstacles. Therefore, biocompatibility and potential for large-scale production make these compounds increasingly attractive for gene therapy. This book contains chapters on the engineering of polymers and nanomaterials for gene therapy, and how they can form complexes with DNA and avoid both in vitro and in vivo barriers. Other chapters describe in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo gene therapy studies, and the current issues affecting non-viral gene therapy. - Explores current challenges in the research of genetic diseases - Discusses polymers for gene therapy and their function in designing advanced materials - Provides examples of organic and inorganic nanomaterials for gene therapy - Includes labeling, targeting, and assays - Looks at characterization, physico-(bio)chemical properties, and applications

Polymers have played a critical role in the rational design and application of drug delivery systems that increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of new and conventional therapeutics. Beginning with an introduction to the fundamentals of drug delivery, Engineering Polymer Systems for Improved Drug Delivery explores traditional drug delivery techniques as well as emerging advanced drug delivery techniques. By reviewing many types of polymeric drug delivery systems, and including key points, worked examples and homework problems, this book will serve as a guide to for specialists and non-specialists as well as a graduate level text for drug delivery courses.

Highlighting dynamic developments in polymer synthesis, this book focuses on the chemical techniques to synthesize and characterize biomedically relevant polymers and macromolecules. • Aids researchers developing polymers and materials for biomedical applications • Describes biopolymers from a synthetic perspective, which other similar books do not do • Covers areas that include: cationically-charged macromolecules, pseudo-peptides, polydrugs and prodrugs, controlled radical polymerization, self-assembly, polycondensates, and polymers for surface modification

With contributions by numerous experts

Polymeric Nanoparticles as Promising Tool for Anti-cancer Therapeutics provides an understanding of polymeric compounds and their use in cancer therapies. The book begins by giving an overview of the current status, future challenges and potential utilization of polymeric nanoparticles. It then covers specific polymeric nanoparticles through contributions from world-renowned experts and researchers. Chapters examine specific polymeric nanoparticles, their development as potential targeted delivery systems, and cancer characteristics that can be targeted for therapy development. The book synthesizes current research trends in the field, thus enhancing existing knowledge of nanomedicine, drug delivery and therapeutic intervention strategies in human cancers. Users will find this to be an ideal reference for research scientists and those in the pharmaceutical and medical fields who are working to develop novel cancer therapies using nanoparticle-based delivery systems. - Explores the development of polymeric nanoparticle systems for the purpose of cancer therapy - Presents thoroughly analyzed data and results regarding the usage of polymeric nanoparticles-based platforms for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer - Highlights various cancer characteristics that can be targeted for therapeutic development using polymeric nanoparticles

. A.J. M ller, V. Balsamo, M.L. Arnal: Nucleation and Crystallization in Diblock and Triblock Copolymers.- 2 J.-F. Gohy: Block Copolymer Micelles.- 3 M.A. Hillmyer: Nanoporous Materials from Block Copolymer Precursors.- 4 M. Li, C. Coenjarts, C.K. Ober: Patternable Block Copolymers.-