CHAPTER 16: Cationic Polymers as Gene-Activated Matrices for Biomedical Applications

The architecture and chemical structure of biomaterials are important aspects of control related to biomimetic functions. The design of such biomaterial matrices has shown enhanced therapeutic potential for biomedical applications. Cationic polymeric systems with positive charges on their backbone or side chains have been framed in various architectures, including hydrogels, 3D porous scaffolds, fibers, nanogels, micelles, nanoparticles and dendrimers. The healing potential of these cationic biomaterials can be enhanced by combining them with DNA to produce gene-activated matrices for biomedical applications. This chapter provides an overview of gene-activated cationic polymer matrices with different architectures and a description of therapeutically relevant biomedical applications.