Transfection Efficiencies of Chitosan/Sirna Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Palacios, Adriana S.

Transfection Efficiencies of Chitosan/Sirna Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer Cells

dc.contributor.advisor	Rudzinski, Walter E.
dc.contributor.author	Palacios, Adriana S.
dc.contributor.committeeMember	Whitten, Steven T.
dc.contributor.committeeMember	Betancourt, Tania
dc.date.accessioned	2015-04-08T19:54:49Z
dc.date.available	2015-04-08T19:54:49Z
dc.date.issued	2012-12
dc.description.abstract	RNA interference (RNAi) is a recently discovered phenomenon that employs the use of miRNA (microRNA) and siRNA (short interfering RNA) that can be utilized for gene therapy purposes. However, the problem that has arisen is delivery of the siRNAs into diseased cells. The compound chitosan has recently gained much attention because it possesses several properties that make it an ideal candidate as a delivery vehicle for siRNA. Chitosan/siRNA based nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized that are less than 100 nm in diameter. Characterization of their size was completed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. Characterization of siRNA loading was accomplished by utilizing UV spectroscopy, EDS, and confocal microscopy to test encapsulation of siRNA. The colorectal cancer cell line HCT 116, was used to test transfection of siRNA across the cellular membrane. The transfection efficiencies were evaluated by using fluorescently tagged siRNA embedded within chitosan nanoparticles. The chitosan/siRNA delivery system was compared with the classical approach used for siRNA delivery; namely, siRNA in Lipofectamine 2000 as well as with cells that received no treatment. Live cell imaging was also employed to aid in visualization of transfection. The results show that the chitosan based systems do transfect siRNA across the cellular member.
dc.description.department	Chemistry and Biochemistry
dc.format	Text
dc.format.extent	63 pages
dc.format.medium	1 file (.pdf)
dc.format.medium	2 files (.wmv)
dc.identifier.citation	Palacios, A. S. (2012). Transfection efficiencies of Chitosan/Sirna nanoparticles in colorectal cancer cells (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/10877/5487
dc.language.iso	en
dc.subject	Transfection efficiency
dc.subject	siRNA
dc.subject	Chitosan nanoparticles
dc.title	Transfection Efficiencies of Chitosan/Sirna Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer Cells
dc.type	Thesis
thesis.degree.department	Chemistry and Biochemistry
thesis.degree.discipline	Biochemistry
thesis.degree.grantor	Texas State University
thesis.degree.level	Masters
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science