Polymeric materials are now playing an increasingly important role in pharmaceuticals, as well as in sensing devices, in situ prostheses and probes, and microparticle diagnostic agents. This new volume consists of twenty-two recent research-based reports on the developments in these areas of pharmaceutical and biomaterials technology. The reports were prepared by top scientists in the field and are based on current research conducted at leading laboratories in the U.S.A., Europe, and Asia. These 22 chapters report the latest information in the application of polymers to biological systems.

Emphasizing its uses in cancer and cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, Pharmaceutical Perspectives of Nucleic Acid-Based Therapy presents a comprehensive account of gene therapy, from development in the laboratory to clinical applications. Internationally acclaimed scientists discuss the potential use of lipids, peptides and polymers for the in vivo delivery of nucleic acids, the genesis of structure-synthesis-function interrelationships and the evolutionary approaches of these gene carriers. The book also addresses the influence of a viable gene expression system on disease by controlling gene regulation, transcription, translation and replication.

Pharmaceutical Perspectives of Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics presents a comprehensive account of gene therapy, from development in the laboratory, to clinical applications, with an emphasis on cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. Several internationally acclaimed scientists discuss the potential use of lipids, peptides and polymers for the in vivo delivery of nucleic acids, the genesis of structure-synthesis-function interrelationships and the evolutionary approaches of these gene carriers. How the components of a viable gene expression system would influence the disease state by controlling gene regulation, transcription, translation and replication are also systematically addressed.

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The evident rapid expansion of scientific work and intense interest in both experimental and clinical aspects of new drug delivery systems provided strong motivation for planning this symposium. In designing the program, speakers were identified for their particular expertise in a wide range of topics such as dermal delivery systems, pro-drugs, oral prolonged release, rate-controlled drug delivery, the pharmacokinetics of drug release systems, the synthesis of polymeric drug carriers and the refinement of drug delivery pumps. Because of the considerable involvement of diverse scientists from laboratories around the world where investigations relevant to the topic are now being pursued, a deliberate effort was made to invite international leaders in the field to share their knowledge and experimental outcomes. Thus, plenary papers and panel discussions were offered by organic chemists, bioengineers, patholo gists, material scientists, physical chemists, and pharmacokineti cists from academic and industrial laboratories in some dozen countries. This book which records the presentations offered at the sym posium covers a broad array of topics ranging from general overviews of the physicochemical concepts and analytical methodology which underpin the refinement of drug delivery systems and the tissue responses associated with the use of such systems through detailed discussions of a variety of current approaches employed in the development of new systems.