Delivering DNA with polymer matrices: applications in tissue engineering and gene therapy

Abstract

DNA delivery from polymers is currently being applied to the multidisciplinary science of gene therapy and tissue engineering. This is motivated by the potential of treating a wide range of diseases and the provision of alternatives to tissue and organ transplantation. The combination of these fields involves the incorporation of genes into polymeric matrices that can be injected or implanted to promote tissue regeneration. This review presents an overview of current and developing polymer systems for gene delivery and tissue engineering.