Figure 2. Schematic representation of gene delivery mechanism.

Upon assembly of the selected nucleic acid cargo with the delivery vector construct, the composite particles (e.g. lipoplex or polyplex) must traverse various extracellular barrier (e.g., serum endonucleases) followed by cellular entry via endocytosis or by other biological means. Following uptake, gene particles modulate gene expression either in the cytosol (expression independent) or in the nucleus (expression dependent){Reproduce with permission [32]}.