Preface
Through decades of developing gene and drug delivery technologies, we now better
appreciate that the traditional approach depending on a single vector system may not be
ideal. Although every vector class has its own demonstrated strengths, individually they all
have limitations—low delivery efficiency, safety concerns, poor persistence, lack of targeting,
or insufficient regulatable control—that one way or another constrain their effectiveness.
This realization has led to efforts to adopt and combine the best capabilities from natural
and artificial vector systems to assemble improved delivery technologies aimed for specific
applications.
Bio-Carrier Vectors looks at delivery systems from this perspective. It discusses vectors
other than the traditional viral and non-viral systems and explores ideas for blending the
best features of bacteria (Chaps. 1–3), nanoparticles (Chaps. 4–6), peptides (Chaps. 7–10),
and hybrid systems (Chaps. 11–15) for the delivery of biomaterials into cells. The final
chapter (Chap. 16) discusses application of shotgun proteomics and mass spectrometry as a
tool to analyze the proteomic profile changes in cells that result from these interventions.
Each chapter in Bio-Carrier Vectors starts with an Introduction that provides an overview of the technology and is followed by a Materials section that describes the required
reagents and materials that need to be prepared before starting the experiment. Next comes
the Methods section that is formatted as a step-by-step protocol that could be used directly
on the bench as the researcher carries out the experiment. At the end of the chapter is the
Notes section, which is a distinct feature found in the Methods in Molecular Biology series of
books. Each Note provides timely advice and guidance from experts that aim to help even
first-time users of the method to navigate the steps and compete the experiments successfully. These could include unpublished pointers and suggestions, usually not found in the
materials and methods section of scientific publications, which could foster a more nuanced
understanding of the protocol.
I would like to especially thank John M. Walker, the Series Editor, for his expert editing
guidance and for his occasional nudging that kept my momentum going. My appreciation
goes to all the authors who have gifted their time and effort to share their protocols that will
no doubt contribute to the work of many researchers who use these techniques. At Springer,
Anna Rakovsky provided excellent support during the final stages of editing and guided its
finalization to print. And most of all, I am thankful to my wife Stella Salleh for her support
and understanding throughout this project that helped bring it to completion.
Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
Kumaran Narayanan
v
Through decades of developing gene and drug delivery technologies, we now better
appreciate that the traditional approach depending on a single vector system may not be
ideal. Although every vector class has its own demonstrated strengths, individually they all
have limitations—low delivery efficiency, safety concerns, poor persistence, lack of targeting,
or insufficient regulatable control—that one way or another constrain their effectiveness.
This realization has led to efforts to adopt and combine the best capabilities from natural
and artificial vector systems to assemble improved delivery technologies aimed for specific
applications.
Bio-Carrier Vectors looks at delivery systems from this perspective. It discusses vectors
other than the traditional viral and non-viral systems and explores ideas for blending the
best features of bacteria (Chaps. 1–3), nanoparticles (Chaps. 4–6), peptides (Chaps. 7–10),
and hybrid systems (Chaps. 11–15) for the delivery of biomaterials into cells. The final
chapter (Chap. 16) discusses application of shotgun proteomics and mass spectrometry as a
tool to analyze the proteomic profile changes in cells that result from these interventions.
Each chapter in Bio-Carrier Vectors starts with an Introduction that provides an overview of the technology and is followed by a Materials section that describes the required
reagents and materials that need to be prepared before starting the experiment. Next comes
the Methods section that is formatted as a step-by-step protocol that could be used directly
on the bench as the researcher carries out the experiment. At the end of the chapter is the
Notes section, which is a distinct feature found in the Methods in Molecular Biology series of
books. Each Note provides timely advice and guidance from experts that aim to help even
first-time users of the method to navigate the steps and compete the experiments successfully. These could include unpublished pointers and suggestions, usually not found in the
materials and methods section of scientific publications, which could foster a more nuanced
understanding of the protocol.
I would like to especially thank John M. Walker, the Series Editor, for his expert editing
guidance and for his occasional nudging that kept my momentum going. My appreciation
goes to all the authors who have gifted their time and effort to share their protocols that will
no doubt contribute to the work of many researchers who use these techniques. At Springer,
Anna Rakovsky provided excellent support during the final stages of editing and guided its
finalization to print. And most of all, I am thankful to my wife Stella Salleh for her support
and understanding throughout this project that helped bring it to completion.
Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
Kumaran Narayanan
v