Injectable polymeric carriers for gene delivery systems

Cationic polymers that have shown significant promise as gene delivery agents are more effective than the state-of-the art, commercially available non-viral systems. Gene delivery in vivo involves interactions with the biophase (the effect site of drug) prior to reaching the target cells which complicates efforts to understand the mechanism of the delivery process. The ability to incorporate genetic materials such as DNA, RNA and siRNAs into functionalized nanoparticles demonstrates a new era. In this chapter, we highlight the basic overview of injectable polymeric gene carriers that have been reported as safe and successful vectors, their formulations and in vivo success thereof. In addition, we outline various strategies for designing polymeric carriers to overcome various biological barriers as successful gene delivery vectors.