Revolutionizing Therapeutic Applications of Natural Biopolymers for Drug/Gene Delivery

Dear Colleagues,

Natural biopolymers are promising candidates for revolutionizing the therapeutic applications of drug and gene delivery owing to their numerous advantages, including, but not limited to, low immunogenicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Traditional delivery systems often face limitations such as poor bioavailability, rapid clearance, and off-target effects when applied to drug and gene delivery in order to specific target sites. Natural biopolymers, derived from biological sources such as proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids, offer a promising alternative for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, the ability to engineer these biopolymers in order to respond to specific environmental cues, such as pH, temperature, or enzymatic activity, can enhance site-specific drug release and improve the efficiency of gene transfection. By regulating the inherent properties of these biopolymers, advanced delivery platforms could be designed with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.

The ability of natural biopolymers to self-assemble into nanoparticles, micelles, hydrogels, and other carrier systems enables the controlled release of therapeutic agents. These biopolymers can also be functionalized using targeting ligands, enabling site-specific drug delivery, minimizing off-target effects, and augmenting their therapeutic efficiency.

Natural biopolymers, such as DNA and RNA-based polymers, are excellent candidates for delivering genetic material into target cells. Their biocompatibility and ability to protect nucleic acids from enzymatic degradation are critical factors in successful gene delivery. The applicability of these natural biopolymers could be enhanced by modifying biopolymers so as to boost cellular uptake and endosomal escape.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the recent advancements made with regard to utilizing natural biopolymers for drug and gene delivery, highlighting their potential to address existing challenges in conventional delivery systems and pave the way for personalized and targeted therapies.

Dr. Pankaj Dwivedi
Guest Editor

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• natural biopolymers
• drug delivery
• gene delivery
• targeted therapies
• controlled release
• nanoparticles
• personalized medicine