PAMAM-Enhanced Applications
In Vitro Medical Diagnostic Testing
PAMAM dendrimers are widely used in a variety of automated
immunoassay and molecular diagnostic clinical platforms. The
dendrimer improves analysis speed and sensitivity and a wide variety
of antibody and signaling moieties can be conjugated to its surface.
Detection of several cardiac markers and allergens are commercially
performed and applications continue to expand. They can also be used
in lateral flow immunoassay schemes (tabs) with enhanced detection
sensitivity. Commercial use is also seen in molecular diagnostic/PCR
amplification schemes targeted at rapid infectious disease
identification including nosocomial infections. Additionally, PAMAM
dendrimers are utilized in non-antibody based universal
phosphoprotein detection, using specifically modified surfaces.
In Vitro Gene Transfection
PAMAM dendrimers are used in in-vitro transfection of a broad
range of cells with DNA. They form dendrimer:DNA complexes that
provide reproducible high transfection efficiency and have low
cytotoxicity.
Personal Care
PAMAM dendrimers are known for their mildness-enhancing
characteristics and can function as compatibilizers, protective
agents for biological actives, controlled release additives and
improved delivery/adherence of cosmetic ingredients. They can be
readily modified with tailored “HLB” for specific applications, and
commercial applications continue to expand.
Controlled Drug Delivery
A variety of molecules, such as drugs and other therapeutic agents,
can be loaded both in the interior void space and on the surface of
PAMAM dendrimers to control the rate of release of these agents into
the body.
Inkjet Inks and Toners
PAMAM dendrimers, at low additive levels, dramatically improve water
resistance and adhesion of inks to a variety of porous or nonporous
substrates such as paper, glass, plastic, or metal. Their water and
alcohol solubility permit formulation of low VOC inks. These
polymers exhibit Newtonian flow behavior for shear stability in
these formulations. In toners, they impart good admix and flow
characteristics, stable properties, and high image quality.
(Click here for our Injet Inks and Toners brochure.)
Focused Research and Development PAMAM Applications
Gene Therapy
PAMAM dendrimers are highly effective agents for the delivery of a
wide variety of genetic materials into many cell lines. As synthetic
non-viral vectors, PAMAM dendrimers can be specifically designed to
minimize immune responses, cytotoxicity, and effectively stabilize
polynucleic acids against nucleases for efficient delivery. They are
under active investigation in in vivo genetic therapies.
Imaging
PAMAM dendrimer conjugates with paramagnetic ions are being studied
for use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents.
Sensors
Due to their organized structure, ease of modification, and strong
adsorption behavior to a variety of substrates, PAMAM dendrimers can
be specifically tailored with a variety of exo- and endo-receptors
for specific detection of many analytes. Employed as monolayers,
stacked films or nanocomposites they can be used as sensitive,
selective sensors for hazardous material detection.
Nanocomposites
PAMAM dendrimers can form stable interior molecular nanocomposites
with metal cations, zero-valent metals, other electrophilic ligands,
and semiconductor particles. These materials are actively being
investigated in electronics, optoelectronics and catalysis.
Size Standards/Molecular Templates
The exceptionally uniform molecular size of the various PAMAM
dendrimer generations enable their use as calibration standards or
precise "scaffolds" and templates to make organized thin films and
stacked layers.