DNA Microspheres Coated with Bioavailable Polymer as an Efficient Gene Expression Agent in Yeasts

Gene delivery is one of the steps necessary for gene therapy and for genetic modification. However, delivering DNA into cells is challenging due to its negative charge that leads to repulsion by the negative cell membrane. In the current research, DNA spheres with a DNA encoding to a certain gene were coated with bioavailable polymers, polyethylene imine (PEI) and polycaprolactone (PCL), in a short, one-step sonochemical reaction. The polymers were used in order to neutralize the negative charge of the DNA. Our study shows that the DNA nanospheres not only managed to penetrate the cell without causing it any damage, but also expressed the desired gene inside it

Work in progress 1992

Published jointly with the Economic and Social Research CouncilAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:MFE 1169(CH--92.1076)(microfiche) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Sonochemical co-deposition of antibacterial nanoparticles and dyes on textiles

The sonochemical technique has been already proven as one of the best coating methods for stable functionalization of substrates in a broad range of applications. Here, we report for the first time on the simultaneous sonochemical dyeing and coating with antibacterial metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles of textiles. In this one-step process the antibacterial nanoparticles are synthesized in-situ and deposited together with dye nanoparticles on the fabric surface. It was shown that the antibacterial behavior of the metal oxides was not influenced by the presence of the dyes. Higher K/S values were achieved by sonochemical deposition of the dyes in comparison to a dip-coating (exhaustion) process. The stability of the antibacterial properties and the dye fastness was studied for 72 hours in saline solution aiming at medical applicationsPeer Reviewe

Making the hospital a safer place by sonochemical coating of all its textiles with antibacterial nanoparticles

The ability to scale-up the sonochemical coating of medical textiles with antibacterial nanoparticles is demonstrated in the current paper. A roll-to-roll pilot installation to coat textiles was built taking into consideration the requirements of the sonochemical process. A long-run experiment was conducted in which 2500 m of fabric were coated with antibacterial ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The metal oxide NPs were deposited from an ethanol:water solution. In this continuous process a uniform concentration of coated NPs over the length/width of the fabric was achieved. The antibacterial efficiency of the sonochemically-coated textiles was validated in a hospital environment by a reduction in the occurrence of nosocomial infections. NP-coated bed sheets, patient gowns, pillow cover, and bed covers were used by 21 patients. For comparison 16 patients used regular textiles. The clinical data indicated the reduced occurrence of hospital-acquired infections when using the metal oxide NP-coated textiles. In order to reduce the cost of the coating process and considering safety issues during manufacturing, the solvent (ethanol:water) (9:1 v:v) used for the long-run experiment, was replaced by water. Although lesser amounts of ZnO NPs were deposited on the fabric in the water-based process the antibacterial activity of the textiles was preserved due to the smaller size of the particles.Peer Reviewe

Making the hospital a safer place by sonochemical coating of all its textiles with antibacterial nanoparticles

The ability to scale-up the sonochemical coating of medical textiles with antibacterial nanoparticles is demonstrated in the current paper. A roll-to-roll pilot installation to coat textiles was built taking into consideration the requirements of the sonochemical process. A long-run experiment was conducted in which 2500 m of fabric were coated with antibacterial ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The metal oxide NPs were deposited from an ethanol:water solution. In this continuous process a uniform concentration of coated NPs over the length/width of the fabric was achieved. The antibacterial efficiency of the sonochemically-coated textiles was validated in a hospital environment by a reduction in the occurrence of nosocomial infections. NP-coated bed sheets, patient gowns, pillow cover, and bed covers were used by 21 patients. For comparison 16 patients used regular textiles. The clinical data indicated the reduced occurrence of hospital-acquired infections when using the metal oxide NP-coated textiles. In order to reduce the cost of the coating process and considering safety issues during manufacturing, the solvent (ethanol:water) (9:1 v:v) used for the long-run experiment, was replaced by water. Although lesser amounts of ZnO NPs were deposited on the fabric in the water-based process the antibacterial activity of the textiles was preserved due to the smaller size of the particles.Peer Reviewe

Toxicity Evaluation of a New Zn-Doped CuO Nanocomposite With Highly Effective Antibacterial Properties

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