Behind the buzz and beyond the hype: Our Nanowerk-exclusive
feature articles Posted: May 11, 2011 SPIONs enable effective
delivery of Malaria DNA vaccine (Nanowerk Spotlight)
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are emerging
as promising candidates for various biomedical applications such
as enhanced resolution imaging or targeted drug or gene delivery
due to their biocompatibility, low cost of production, ability
to immobilize biological materials on their surfaces, and
potential for direct targeting using external magnets. Over the
past few years, researchers demonstrated that magnetofection is
an appropriate tool for rapid and specific gene transfection
with low dose in vitro and site-specific in vivo applications.
In new work, scientists in Australia have now successfully
demonstrated the use of magnetofection for the delivery of
malaria DNA vaccine. Malaria is a life-threatening disease
caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via
the bites of infected mosquitoes. In th