High compacted DNA-polymer complexes via new polynorbornene polycationic latexes with acetate counterion

Complexation and aggregation of DNA. in small particles are the bases of ef ficient vehicles for gene delivery. The aggregation properties of new linea r polycationic polynorbornene polymers with acetate counterions are describ ed. These polymers spontaneously form stable latexes in water, offering a l arge cationic surface for favorable adsorption of DNA. Furthermore, such po lymers are able to bind and efficiently compact the DNA into very small agg regates because of cationic charges and the hydrophobic packing of norborna ne units. By use of transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microsco py, gel electrophoresis, and zeta potential measurements, we have studied b oth the polymer organization and the DNA-polymer complex formation.