Through chemical modification of polysaccharides

we developed bromoisobutyryl- terminated polysaccharide initiators for subsequent atom transfer radical polymerization. A series of new cationic polymers composed of biocompatible polysaccharide backbones and polycation side chains of different length were designed. Cell transfection

cell toxicity

and the other properties of the material were characterized. The results of the characterization indicated the cationic polymers can condense DNA very well and have good buffer capacity and biocompability. The high gene transfection efficiency and cell viability of polysaccharide-based polycations compared with PEI and commercial transfection reagent demonstrate it has great potentials as efficient vectors in future gene therapy.