Rare Earth Luminescent Nanomaterials for Gene Delivery

This chapter mainly focuses on the design, improvement, and application of -earth-based nanomaterials in the delivery of genes. As representative nanovectors, in the first part, UCNPs are discussed with emphasis, especially on their surface modification, controlling delivery strategy, and gene synergistic therapy. The surface modification protocols were outlined for increasing the gene loading efficiency and cellular endosomal escape of UCNP-based nanovectors. Spatiotemporal controlling release is the essential advantage of these vectors, which was subsequently highlighted in the approaches of light-triggered stimulus-responsive release for the effective and accurate delivery of nucleic acids to target sites. It next describes the practices of UCL luminescence used to monitor the gene delivery process and the efforts of researchers made to combine UCNP-based gene therapy with other therapeutic modalities for the further increase of its treatment efficacy. In the end, the progress of other rare earth luminescent nanomaterials such as rare earth nanochelates for gene delivery made a complementary discussion.