Читать книгу Biomolecules from Natural Sources - Группа авторов - Страница 45

Biopolymers were designed in many formulations to either react by themselves or to be used in gene therapy [46–48]. They are used widely in tissue engineering and in genetic cell engineering [49]. They enable the cells to provide biochemical signals [50] which direct cell proliferation and differentiation [51]. The unique criteria in the polymers used in gene therapy, is their biocompatibility, mucoadhesive character, and biodegradability. The biocompatibility of natural polymers allows cells to infiltrate the matrix and transfection can occur as these cells come into contact with the embedded DNA. The biodegradability of the matrices obtained from natural polymers may also assist the release of gene transfer agents into the surrounding environment and thus affect nearby cells [48, 52, 53].