DNA delivery into cells is a rapidly developing area in gene therapy and biotechnology. Moreover, it is a powerful research tool to determine gene structure, regulation, and function. Viral methods of DNA delivery are well-characterized and efficient, but little is known about the toxicity and immunogenecity of viral vectors. As a result, non-viral, transfection methods of DNA delivery are of increasing interest. Synthetic DNA Delivery Systems is a comprehensive and current resource on DNA transfection. The use of histidine-rich peptides and polypeptides as DNA delivery systems and self-assembled delivery systems based on cationic lipids and polymers are discussed. Targeted delivery to organelles, tumor cells and dendritic cells comprise an important topic.

This volume examines the advantages and limitations of the major gene delivery systems and offers guidelines to select the most appropriate viral or synthetic delivery system for specific therapeutic applications. It discusses advances in the design, optimization, and adaptation of gene delivery systems for the treatment of cancerous, cardiovascular, pulmonary, genetic, and infectious diseases.

A practical resource for everyone involved in the gene therapy field and in the design of effective gene delivery systems, this volume presents an overview and update of recent advances in the field of non-viral methods for the in vivo transfer of therapeutic genes to biological targets using conventional routes of administration. Methods to control the spatial and temporal modulation of gene function in vivo as well as the level, duration, specificity, and fidelity of gene expression are described. The rational design and the applications of a variety of non-viral gene delivery systems, such as cationic lipid-, polymer-, and (poly) peptide-based systems, are exemplified for the control of location of therapeutic genes administered by various routes. Current and potential clinical applications of gene-based medicines are presented for the prevention, correction or modulation of diseases. Examples of current applications of plasmid-based systems for genetic vaccination, treatment of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, and treatment of acquired diseases such as cancer are also provided.

Nucleic acid (NA) therapeutics has been extensively studied both in the academia and in the pharmaceutical industry and is still considered the promise for new therapeutic modalities, especially in personalized medicine. The only hurdle that limits the translation of NA therapeutics from an academic idea to the new therapeutic modality is the lack of efficient and safe delivery strategies. Nanotechnology for the Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids, written by world experts in the field of nanotechnology for NA delivery, the contributing authors bring together the state of the art in delivery strategies with strong emphasis on aspects that are of essence to the pharmaceutical industry, such as stability, general toxicity, immune-toxicity, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and validation of new drug targets using unique approaches based on exquisite nanotechnology strategies.

​The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. The chapter "Polymeric Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Delivery for Lung Cancer Treatment" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

There is a unique nutritional commonality developing in research relating to coronary heart disease and cancer. The primary aim of this conference was to provide a forum for the leading researchers, clinicians, educators and administrators in these two fields to present a program on heart disease and cancer which included a) the major historical milestones, b) the present areas of greatest interest in research and therapy, c) the latest nutritional, molecular, and biotechnological advances, and d) a perspective on the most promising areas for future research and therapy. Scientists have long contended that research marches on the feet of methodology. Thus there are numerous examples of research fields opening secondary to methodological advances. Some examples are: 1) thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography which, along with high pressure liquid chromatography have broadened the line of advances in lipid research and 2) peR and the resultant impact on molecular biological approaches to several fields of science. The organizers of this conference thought the time was propitious for bringing together knowledge on newer aspects of molecular biological research with current advances in the two major areas of degenerative disease--coronary heart disease and cancer. Our knowledge of these "killer diseases" has expanded greatly in the past few years and the advance has been catalyzed by use of an array of molecular biological techniques. Thanks to these, medical thinking in these areas is changing from considerations of treatment to strategies for prevention.

To treat disease or correct genetic disorders using gene therapy, the most suitable vehicle must be able to deliver genes to the appropriate tissues and cells in the body in a specific as well as safe and effective manner. While viruses are the most popular vehicles to date, their disadvantages include toxicity, limited size of genes they can carry

1 D.V. Schaffer, W. Zhou: Gene Therapy as Future Human Therapeutics.- 2 J. Heidel, S. Mishra, M.E. Davis: Molecular Conjugates.- 3 M. Manthorpe, P. Hobart, G. Hermanson, M. Ferrari, A. Geall, B. Goff, A. Rolland: Plasmid Vaccines and Therapeutics: From Design to Applications.- 4 S.R. Little, R. Langer: Non-Viral Delivery of Cancer Genetic Vaccines.- 5 J.C. Grieger, R.J. Samulski: Adeno-Associated Virus as a Gene Therapy Vector: Vector Development, Production and Clinical Applications.- 6 J.H. Yu, D.V. Schaffer: Advanced Targeting Strategies for Murine Retroviral and Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors.- 7 N. Loewen, E.M. Poeschla: Lentiviral Vectors.- 8 N.E. Altaras, J.G. Aunins, R.K. Evans, A. Kamen, J.O. Konz, J.J. Wolf: Production and Formulation of Adenovirus Vectors.-

Over the last century, medicine has come out of the "black bag" and emerged as one of the most dynamic and advanced fields of development in science and technology. Today, biomedical engineering plays a critical role in patient diagnosis, care, and rehabilitation. As such, the field encompasses a wide range of disciplines, from biology and physiology to material science and nanotechnology. Reflecting the enormous growth and change in biomedical engineering during the infancy of the 21st century, The Biomedical Engineering Handbook enters its third edition as a set of three carefully focused and conveniently organized books. Reviewing applications at the leading edge of modern biomedical engineering, Tissue Engineering and Artificial Organs explores transport phenomena, biomimetics systems, biotechnology, prostheses, artificial organs, and ethical issues. The book features approximately 90% new material in the tissue engineering section, integrates coverage of life sciences with a new section on molecular biology, and includes a new section on bionanotechnology. Prominent leaders from around the world share their expertise in their respective fields with many new and updated chapters. New technologies and methods spawned by biomedical engineering have the potential to improve the quality of life for everyone, and Tissue Engineering and Artificial Organs sheds light on the tools that will enable these advances.

Brain Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: A Focus on Nanotechnology and Nanoparticulates provides a guide on nanoparticulates to both academic and industry researchers. The book discusses key points in the development of brain targeted drug delivery, summarizes available strategies, and considers the main problems and pitfalls evidenced in current studies on brain targeted drug delivery systems. As the brain is the most important organ in the human body, and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most serious threat to human life, this book highlights advances and new research in drug delivery methods to the brain. - Provides an overview of brain targeting drug delivery that is useful to both academic and industry-based researchers - Discusses key points in developing brain targeting drug delivery systems - Summarizes and presents currently available strategies for brain targeting drug delivery - Covers not only current studies and their strengths, but also gives insight into the pitfalls of current research