Gene silencing mediated through short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is rapidly emerging as a new class of therapeutics for the treatment of inherited and acquired diseases. However, poor cellular uptake and instability in physiological conditions limits its therapeutic potential. As a result, a need to develop a delivery system that can protect and efficiently transport siRNA to the target cells arises.

Nanotechnology-based, non-viral vectors have been proposed as a potential alternate. Various polymeric nanoparticles have been shown as suitable delivery candidates with high cellular...