Eastman researchers Dr Anne Young, Professor Irwin Olsen and Dr Vehid Salih, of the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Unit, have been awarded a £220,000 grant to develop novel UCL Eastman Dental Institute-patented polymers that can convert rapidly from liquid to solid in the body after injection for use in gene therapy.

Within the polymers are genes protected within calcium phosphate nanoparticles. Slow release of such nanoparticles will provide sustained cell exposure to genes protected within structures that can aid their uptake and transport through the cells. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Jayne Lawrence at Kings College.

Delivering healthy genes into the cells of individuals with genetic abnormalities (gene therapy) can potentially alleviate a wide range of medical conditions. Current procedures for introducing healthy genes into cells and tissues rely primarily on virus-derived 'carriers' to deliver the therapeutic gene, but the safety of such procedures is of increasing concern, according to the Institute.