New low-toxicity cationic polyelectrolytes have been developed, in particular polyampholytes with block and branched architecture, which function as effective non-viral vectors for nucleic acid delivery. The created polymers form stable polyplexes with DNA, which are protected from enzymatic cleavage during transport and ensure high efficiency of transfection of cells of various nature: mammals, yeast, and bacteria.
The use of new comb-like polycationites with a molecular weight of 8.5–11 kDa has yielded positive results in the transfer of plasmid DNA (in particular pGLG578 and pYT3) into Ansenula polymorpha yeast using the Li/Ac method and electroporation. The morphology of the polyplexes was confirmed by TEM methods.
The development opens up new opportunities for gene therapy, synthetic biology, and biotechnology, where effective, safe, and controlled delivery of genetic material without the use of viral agents is required.