15-Lipoxygenase Polycationic Oligomers

Emory University
posted on 07/07/2009

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Applications

Diagnostic or analytical methods, or for introduction of the polynucleic acid into living cells.

Technical Summary

This invention relates to biodegradable polycationic oligomers that function as nucleic acid binding agents. The invention also provides improved methods of introducing polynucleic acid into eukaryotic cells by first complexing the polynucleic acid with a polycationic oligomer that neutralizes the negative charge of the polynucleic acid, thereby facilitating its uptake into the cells as a complex with the oligomer. Polycationic oligomers having cationic side-groups spaced along the oligomer chain are employed in this technology to bind polynucleic acid and facilitate its entry into cells. Preferred oligomers are those which are sequential oligomers with cationic side groups on alternating monomer residues along the oligomer chain. Further, polycationic oligomers of this invention are designed to have varying degrees of biodegradability, and can optionally contain side groups capable of being derivitized with desired functional groups at one or more positions along the oligomer chain to incorporate a biologically active species, or an analytical or diagnostic label. Polycationic oligomers of this invention are useful generally in any application involving the formation of polynucleic acid complex, i.e., the binding and charge neutralization of the nucleic acid. They are particularly useful for introduction of polynucleic acids into cell, in vitro or in vivo, i.e., in methods involving cell transfection including gene therapy, and diagnostic methods.