Application of Polyethylenimine-Grafted Silicon Nanowire Arrays for Gene Transfection

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1445:279-87. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3718-9_18.

Abstract

Polyplexes are one of the most important and promising approaches to deliver exogenous DNA into cells. However, it is severely restricted by the aggregation of polyplexes. Surface-tethered polyplexes can inhibit the aggregation effect and increase the local concentrations of DNA, exhibiting an excellent potential in gene transfection. Since silicon nanowires have the ability to penetrate the cell membrane, branched polyethylenimine (bPEI)-grafted silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) can stimulate gene transfection to a great extent. Herein, the method for the preparation of bPEI-grafted SiNWAs, as an example of surface-tethered polyplexes, is introduced in detail.

Keywords: DNA; Gene transfection; Polycation; Polyplexes; Surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nanowires / chemistry
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Polyethyleneimine
  • DNA
  • Silicon