IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO GENE DELIVERY MEDIATED BY A SYNTHETIC POLYCATIONIC AMINO POLYMER

A synthetic polyamino polymer with a glucose backbone was used for gen e transfer in vitro and in vivo. Gene transfer in vitro to various hum an carcinoma cell lines was achieved with an efficiency superior to a commercially available cationic liposome preparation. The polymer was resistant to inhibition by serum, which allowed for efficient gene tra nsfer in vivo. Direct intracranial turner injection using this reagent resulted in reporter gene expression revels comparable to those achie ved by a recombinant adenoviral vector. Thus, this compound represents a new class of agent that may have broad utility for gene transfer an d gene therapy applications.