Abstract: The present invention describes methods for introducing nucleic acids into a target cell using a transition metal enhancer. A mixture containing nucleic acid and a transition metal enhancer is exposed to cells. The nucleic acid is taken up into the interior of the cell with the aid of the transition metal enhancer. Since nucleic acids can encode a gene, the method can be used to replace a missing or defective gene in the cell. The method can also be used to deliver exogenous nucleic acids operatively coding for proteins that are secreted or released from target cells, thus resulting in a desired biological effect outside the cell. Alternatively, the methods of the present invention can be used to deliver exogenous nucleic acids into a target cell that are capable of regulating the expression of a predetermined endogenous gene.

Abstract: This invention relates to pentaerythritol lipid derivatives which are useful for the intracellular delivery of polynucleotides. These cationic lipids are useful in the preparation of liposomes and other lipid vesicles for the delivery of nucleic acids into mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides ortho ester lipids and their derivatives that, upon certain pH conditions, undergo hydrolysis with concomitant or subsequent headgroup cleavage. These ortho ester lipids can advantageously be formulated into liposomes. The liposome formulations are useful in nucleic acid transfection and entrapment/delivery of conventional small molecules and therapeutic agents. Moreover, the liposomes comprising compounds of the present invention are useful as drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: This invention relates to pentaerythritol lipid derivatives which are useful for the intracellular delivery of polynucleotides. These cationic lipids are useful in the preparation of liposomes and other lipid vesicles for the delivery of nucleic acids into mammalian cells.

Abstract: In the generation of cytofectin:polynucleotide complexes for transfection of cells, formulations, counterions, and reaction conditions for maximizing the transfection include using a cationic amine compound that has the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are a pair of same or different lipoyl moieties selected from a group consisting of an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, or alkynoyl groups and for R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 at least two are hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups or at least one amine bonded halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group or a mixture of at least one halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group and at least one hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group, and X.sup.- is an oxyanion or halide counterion.

Abstract: For use in transporting biologically active species into and through membrane barriers, a symmetrical cationic diamine compound having the general structure ##STR1## wherein m=1-10; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a hydroxylated alkyl or alkenyl group, or an ether containing alkyl or alkenyl group; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an alkyl or alkenyl containing acyl group; R.sub.3 is a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a hydroxylated alkyl or alkenyl group, or an ether containing alkyl or alkenyl group; R.sub.4 is a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a hydroxylated alkyl or alkenyl group, or an ether containing alkyl or alkenyl group; and X.sup.- is an anion.

Abstract: For use in transporting biologically active species into and through membrane barriers, a cationic amine compound is utilized that has the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are a pair of same or different lipoyl moieties selected from a group consisting of an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, or alkynoyl groups and for R.sub.1 R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 at least two are hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups or at least one amine bonded halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group or a mixture of at least one halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group and at least one hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group, and X.sup.- is an anion.

Abstract: Amine containing compounds and their use in the generation of cytofectin:polynucleotide complexes for transfection of cells, formulations, counterions, and reaction conditions for maximizing the transfection include using cationic amine compounds that have the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are a pair of same or different lipoyl moieties selected from a group consisting of an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, alkenoyl, or alkynoyl groups and for R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 at least two are hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups or at least one amine bonded halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group or a mixture of at least one halogen containing moiety selected from a group consisting of a halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group and at least one hydroxylated, ether containing, or acyloxy containing alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group, and X.sup.

Abstract: For use transporting biologically active species into and through membrane barriers, a symmetrical cationic diamine compound having the general structure ##STR1##

Abstract: For use in transporting biologically active species into and through membrane barriers, a symmetrical cationic diamine compound having the general structure ##STR1##