Biodegradable gelatin particles show promise for delivering therape...( They took two sets of pictures of ...)

"The level of radioactivity declined rather rapidly in the kidney," said Nahman, who is also an investigator with Ohio State's Heart and Lung Research Institute. "This suggests that the gelatin dissolved enough to pass through the glomerulus, and it did so in a short amount of time. So it should be useful in transferring genes to tissues."

The gelatin material that the researchers used in this study is similar in composition to that of gelatin capsules found in over-the-counter medications, Nahman said. But size is one issue; getting the genetic material to stick to a biodegradable particle is another issue.

"Gelatin used in medications is mixed with the medication," Nahman said. "We can't mix the genetic material in a gelatin microparticle, simply because the particle is so small. We're currently working on ways to get the genetic material to stick to these particles."

While the gelatin particles quickly dissolved, they were still quite large about 64 micrometers in diameter. Capillaries range in diameter from five to 10 micrometers. However, the gelatin particles did eventually make it to the glomeruli.

'"/>

Contact: N. Stanley Nahman
Nahman.1@osu.edu
614-293 4997
Ohio State University
16-Dec-2002