Biodegradable gelatin particles show promise for delivering therape...( The particle ne...)

The particle needs to be large enough to stay inside the capillary long enough for the genetic material to be released, but small enough to make it to the capillary. Previous work by these researchers showed that a 16-micrometer particle is the right size to lodge in the glomerulus of a rat.

"A particle of this size can get into the glomerulus, but it can't get out," Nahman said. "But the particle doesn't stay its original size for long. We saw dissolution as soon as 30 minutes after the injection of the particles in our study.

"We wouldn't want to use particles as large as the gelatin particles used in this study in a real gene therapy treatment program," he said. "For one, the particles may get stuck in a blood vessel near the capillary and never make it to the glomerulus. But as the research continues, the gelatin particles should become much smaller.

Using biodegradable material may also reduce the risk of ischemia poor circulation due to a blockage in the blood vessel in the glomerulus.

"Overall, though, the gelatin particles are superior simply because they pass through the body and won't cause long-term blockage of blood flow. The results mean a great deal for organs other than the kidney, too."

While the architecture of the glomerulus allows the filter to withstand some degree of blood vessel blockage it is a mass of interconnected capil
'"/>

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

Page: 1 2 3 4 5
Related biology news :

1. Biodegradable particles mimic white blood cells, target inflamed tissue, new study finds
2. Biodegradable plastics go to compost heaps, not landfills
3. Corn Byproduct Shows Promise As Biodegradable Packaging Material
4. Tiny tango: Device sorts microscopic particles with speed and precision
5. Nanoparticles illuminate brain tumors for days under MRI
6. Ebola virus-like particles prevent lethal Ebola virus infection
7. Gold nanoparticles and catalytic DNA produce colormetric lead sensor
8. Biomedical engineer constructs illuminating nanoparticles for medical imaging and gene detection
9. Nanoparticles could aid biohazard detection, computer industry
10. Biomedical scientist testing nanoparticles as early cancer detection agent
11. UCSD researchers fabricate tiny smart dust particles