Gene delivery systems: viral vs. non-viral vectors The development of a gene delivery system is one of the most important technological challenges for the 21st century. In this review, strategies for developing a safe and efficient gene delivery system are discussed from both the viral and non-viral point of views. First, Kamiya et al. briefly introduce the concepts of intracellular trafficking and transegene expression for viral and non-viral vectors. Mizuguchi et al. has focused on the use of recombinant adenovirus vectors for the preparation of safe and targetable viral vectors. Mayumi et al. introduced fusogenic liposomes for DNA vaccine development. Hashida et al. reported on the cell-specific delivery of genes by means of glycosylated carriers. Nakanishi et al. introduced a confocal and probe microscopy for the study of gene transfection, which is mediated by cationic liposome derivatives. Oku et al. have described a novel non-viral gene transfer system using polycation liposomes. Kiwada et al. examined the study of the intracellular fate of plasmids which were delivered with non-viral vectors and pointed out the importance of quantitative measurements for the intracellular movoment of genes. Maruyama et al. described the design of polymer materials for use in enhancing nucleotide hybridization in the area of anti-gene technology.
Yoshikawa described methods for controlling the higher-order structure of giant DNA molecules. Lastly, Behr et al. discussed aspects of synthetic viruses. This issue of Advanced Drug Delivery Review presents the current state of our knowledge of the field of gene delivery systems. We wish to thank all of the contributors for their excellent articles, which will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of this area, as well as promising perspectives in the field of gene delivery systems. Kazunori Kataoka, (Theme Editor) Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7 -3 -1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113 -8656, Japan Hideyoshi Harashima (Corresponding Author and Theme Editor) Laboratory for Molecular Design of Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 6, Sapporo 060 -0812, Japan E-mail: harasima@ pharm.hokudai.ac.jp
0169-409X / 01 / $ – see front matter 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0169-409X( 01 )00217-4