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The presentation will be an overview of novel
polymers developed by Virginia Tech researchers for biomedical
applications, with an emphasis on gene delivery and tissue scaffolds.
“Both of these emerging technologies are enabled with fundamental
advances in polymer chemistry,” Long said.
“Synthetic macromolecules can be easily modified to
contain a variety of functional elements capable of interacting with
biological systems,” he said. “Initial studies have found
macromolecular topology to be a significant parameter in the delivery
of DNA into cells.”
In the cell, the new DNA initiates the manufacture
of therapeutic proteins, such as might be needed to treat a genetic
disease where an enzyme or protein is not produced naturally. The
Virginia Tech vectors presently being tested in cell cultures are
proving to be superior to surfactant benchmarks and offer reduced
toxicity to viral vectors, Long said.
Meanwhile, scientists at Virginia Tech have
developed a single-step process for creating fibrous mats from a small
organic molecule – a new nanoscale, biocompatible material (Jan. 20,
2006, Science, "Phospholipid Nonwoven Electrospun Membranes," by
Matthew G. McKee, John M. Layman, Matthew P. Cashion, and. Long, all
at Virginia Tech.).
Since last year, they have improved the durability
of the phospholipids through novel photochemistry during
electrospinning and have begun to impregnate the porous mats with
cells that will initiate tissue regeneration. |
