Folic acid modified polyethylenimine solution

The low weight folic acid modified polyethylenimine (PEI) solution is a versatile cationic polymer used in targeted gene delivery. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the most attractive and widely studied gene delivery systems both in vitro and in vivo due to its high transfection efficiency in a broad range of cells. Folic acid or folate (FA) has emerged as an ideal targeting ligand, prized for its compact size, low immunogenicity, low toxicity and strong affinity to the folate receptor. Through the folic acid modification of polyethylenimine, this solution blends the advantages of both to maximize transfection efficiency and enable targeted drug and gene delivery while maintaining low toxicity.

This folic acid modified branched PEI solution has garnered significant attention in the field of gene transfection and drug delivery research. Some applications include:

• Cancer treatment - Folate receptors (FRs) are frequently overexpressed in a wide range of tumors and are rarely expressed in normal tissues. Thus, folic acid modified PEI can be used to carry anticancer drugs or gene therapies directly to the tumor site for localized and targeted delivery.
• Cancer imaging- Due to the targetability of the folic acid to tumor cells, this modified PEI can also be used for cancer imaging, aiding in early diagnosis and monitoring.
• Gene delivery - This cationic polymer plays a crucial role in non-viral gene delivery by forming stable complexes to protect the DNA or RNA during transport and enhance cellular uptake through endosomal escape.
• Small molecule delivery - PEI improves water solubility and stability of hydrophobic drugs, improving delivery and enabling controlled drug release.

• Low molecular weight branched PEI for improved water solubility and transfection efficiency
• Folic acid functionalization for targeted delivery

For research use only